"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." - Albert Camus
Friends,
How are you? Are you getting enough sleep? Drinking enough water? Eating enough nutritious food? Connecting with other people? Connecting with nature?
Now that we know the outcome of the election, for me it feels like bracing for a blast of cold winter wind. Having lived in cold climates for more years of my life than I’ve lived in warm ones, I know the routine of piling on layers of sweaters, coats, and scarves, hats, gloves, and boots. To survive and thrive in the cold requires layers of protection.
We know there is a cold wind coming. Now is the time to build layers of care and protection for ourselves and the most vulnerable among us.
One of the blessings of a covenanted religious community such as ours is found in the relationships we build with each other. We have a strong foundation in place. We intentionally nurture the skills of healthy relationships. We know how to build strong coalitions within our walls and beyond. We are continually learning more about the oppressive effects of our dominant culture which is based in white supremacy and is patriarchal in nature. We are continually challenging ourselves to be aware of our own power and privilege.
In other words, we have prepared ourselves well to face the cold wind that is coming. We also know the power of coming together to worship, to sing, to laugh and cry, to share meals, and just have fun together – keeping that invincible summer alive in ourselves and each other.
Now we are being challenged to use every ounce of power and privilege that any of us may possess to, in the words of Stacy Abrams, “resist, persist, and insist.” To that end, be watching this space. I’m in the process of putting together a series of drop-in Resistance and Resilience Circles for support, organizing, sharing resources, and building resilience through spiritual practices.
These are times when our value of interdependence becomes real. We need each other for warmth and protection. Let us remember that we need each other, now more than ever.
Yours in shared ministry,
Rev. Diane
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