A Letter from Lindy Feb 25

Pilgrims,

 In our gospel lesson for the second Sunday in Lent, Jesus responds to the disciples' fearful cry upon seeing a ghostly aberration walking on water toward them with the words, “take heart.” The Greek verb behind that translation is tharseó which also means to be emboldened to show courage. I’ve been pushing against that definition because I hear it with a different timber, if even it might convey a similar sentiment, albeit a bit more gently. Like a parent whispering to a frightened child, “do not be afraid,” which actually Jesus says to us time and again.

 Why is this phrase pressing into my own heart? Because I believe our Ash Wednesday service of Lament and Prayer for Israel/Palestine showed extraordinary courage on Pilgrim’s behalf. Not only to publicly bear witness to the complexity of emotions we have collectively about this tragedy, but also for those who showed up and opened their own hearts to receive its pain. I am so very grateful for the courage of our Board of Deacons who felt called to take the baton from First and Trinity Presbyterian Churches and offer this liturgy in our setting. And to marry it with our Glitter Ash Wednesday liturgy felt decidedly theological. I was heartened upon meeting one of the authors of the liturgy, Dr. Charles Campbell, this week that he marveled at how we had done so with the thought, “what a perfectly suited connection.”

 This affirmation was reinforced this past week by the occasion in which I met Dr. Campbell–a clergy breakfast with the speakers (Mr. Noor Awad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger) of an Israeli/Palestinian organization called Roots. Roots is an
on-the-ground Palestinian-Israeli initiative for understanding, nonviolence and
transformation. It has become a center for grassroots work and partnerships, a
platform for innovation, and a springboard for new discourse in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We were gifted this intimate conversation after a more public discourse the evening prior at Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church. For those seeking glimmer in the ashes, as we prayed on Ash Wednesday, I invite you to watch their conversation here in Durham to help plant seeds of hope within what feels intractable. I have more
information for you to connect to Roots if you feel so called. I pray Mr. Awad and Rabbi Schlesinger return to Durham so that we might expand the conversation.

 
take heart,
Pastor Lindy

(she/her) why pronouns matter