Dear friends,
Hi! How are you? I hope you are well. I hope you are caring for you.
I hope you take time to be still today—
In the swirl and chaos, communal fear and grief of out-of-control gun violence and rampant hatred of people who are simply being themselves, no harm done (trans people anyone?), I pray you will join me in taking a breather right now, at this very moment, just for a second— you can be the best advocate, lover, caregiver, campaigner, mobilizer, speaker, listener there is.
Remember, in the end we are all replaceable. You won’t do any good for your neighbor if you’re not doing well yourself.
So stop right now; put your finger to the pulse of the earth— feel how she breathes without your help?
Soak that life in, friend, for who knows what tomorrow holds?
_________
A brief early summer 2023 update on me:
Hurray, I finished three very challenging classes, and I’m so happy with what I learned because it feels practical; what I have learned has changed me for the better.
Yes, I am currently penning a series entitled, “Should ‘church’ die?” while pursuing the vocation of “minister,” “pastor,” “reverend.” Curious as to why? Keep tuning in to my emails; I promise to explain.
I’m interning this summer at a church (Ridglea Christian Church) which neighbors my home church, Galileo, as a Fort Worth area Disciples of Christ congregation. Disciples of Christ is the iteration of “church” through which I plan to be ordained (to be explained at a later date also). One of my current goals is to observe and learn how various “churches” operate as I discern who I am as a minister and how I might best serve the world.
I’m still navigating how to co-parent and co-homeschool with my spouse while he and I are both working (although I’m only working part-time). Overall, my kids are happier than ever, though still enjoying “home” more than “out and about.” Being that I am a pastors’/missionary kid who was forced into the spotlight for the sake of my family’s ministry, I do not require my children to accompany me into my ministry; this means that there are some churches which will not have me (they want me to bring my family along to church, too). Though this may limit my options in some ways, it feels like the right choice; after all, I am trying to be as liberative towards my children as possible. It is my conviction that I should treat them the same way I would treat any of my other fellow humans, and that means I do not cast them into any role or force them into any mold that is not of their choosing.
The third semester of seminary has left me with more theological questions than ever, but it is also helping me develop an understanding of the particular interpretive lens I will use as a pastor. It has also taught me the value of radically good, deep listening— as well as giving me the conviction that pastoral care is about accompanying others (this includes advocacy and social justice) as they navigate their own life stories. Divine, open, accepting, “hearing” accompaniment. Radical, and justice oriented. Story weaving. Letting others encounter the Divine and figure the Divine out for themselves. Narrative repair. Co-creation. This is where the good stuff’s at, and I’m here for it.
_________
In the spirit of hope for a better world, I offer to you the following wonderful offerings. And when (if) you feel that whisper, that tingle, that itch, that ache, that awakening of awe? That’s your spirit opening to the Divine— if you don’t find it in these “likes” o’ mine, go on and make a list of your own to oooohhh at.
“Photography 4 Humanity calls on photographers around the world to bring to life the power of human rights through their images. Highlighting the most compelling human rights imagery - illustrating courage, despair, hope, injustice, compassion in ways small and large, the photos serve to inspire people to get involved and take a stand for human rights.”
“The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver
“Life Goes On” by Howard Thurman
“During these turbulent times we must remind ourselves repeatedly that life goes on. This we are apt to forget...”
“If I Were A Fish!”
Appreciate the Howard Thurman essay!