A Moment with our Ministers

We got the call, ‘Martha, have you heard X died?’
Then another, ‘David, Y died this morning.’ We have had several of those in the last few weeks.
So as we write, we are in the midst of a number of losses, a season of funerals. This may not be your
experience, of course, but you will have had periods like this in your lives.

For many of these people we are celebrating long lives, well-lived. For some it feels like a life has been cut short. Grief is hard to hold.

When we feel death has come too soon, it is even harder to navigate.

The grief we carry today is not just about the recent deaths. Grief arises from the world seeming to accept war as normal,

the condemnation of free speech, even with all its challenges, or ignoring the climate crisis.

We watch the news from the USA and feel deeply saddened by the loss of life and the violence that continues to unfold. We look around the UK and wonder
what people are feeling as the disdain for ‘outsiders’ grows more deeply entrenched in our society.

How does this impact us? Personally, we may be despairing. We may feel helpless. We have already named grief as part of this experience.
In the face of this, how do we respond?

Perhaps we can offer two options-discovering what we can do and staying connected.

Faced with global or national crises, there is definitely too much for a few people to do.

Instead, the question becomes – what is ours to do? What can I do?

Can I lobby, protest, change my car, limit my buying, or talk to my
neighbours with grace?

Can we educate ourselves so we can respond appropriately? Can we volunteer or gather with others to pray regularly for
peace?
We alone can’t change the world, but based on our gifts we are called to do something that is uniquely ours. Let’s listen for God’s call and do it.

Now there is a caveat to finding what is ours to do. If we are in the midst of a personal grief, we won’t have the energy to do anything except survive.
Survival then is our only task. So whether we have to survive or do, staying connected is essential.

We need others to encourage us and help us stay the course to which God has called us. We need to hear, from each other, that the work we do is
important and makes a difference when added to the work others do. We are
not alone. We are in this together. We need to hear that we matter to others,
that others notice us and remember our grief.

In tough times, we often proclaim that God brings hope. What might hope look like in these strange days?

Anne Lamott writes:
Sometimes hope is a radical act, sometimes a quietly merciful response,
sometimes a second wind, or just an increased awareness of goodness and
beauty. Maybe you didn’t get what you prayed for, but what you got instead
was waking to. . . the power of loving hearts.

As we discover what is ours to do and stay connected, perhaps the power of
the loving heart is the most essential aspect of our whole time. Hearts that are
open to love and welcome the stranger – whether they have come from
overseas or from across the street; whether they share our ideology or their
beliefs are illogical and flawed – in our view.

May our loving hearts bring healing to us and to others in this season.

In a time of hate
Love is an act of resistance
In a time of fear
Faith is an act of resistance
In a time of misinformation
Education is an act of resistance
In a time of poor leadership
Community is an act of resistance
In a time like this
Joy is an act of resistance . . .
~ Loryn Brantz

Resisting with you for peace,
Martha and David