A Letter from Lindy July 31

 Pilgrims,

It's funny how an offhand conversation can walk you around an unexpected corner. 

Tom Harris stopped by my office a few weeks ago wondering if I could create space for a “moment for mission” for one of the board members of the National Farm Worker Ministry as they are meeting here this weekend. Along with my “of course” was the recognition that in the three years since we congregationally affirmed to stand with this movement, these workers, we have traversed such rugged terrain, that our vote, in retrospect, feels distantly far away from where we find ourselves today. So many other pressing matters have come to the forefront that systemic, ongoing issues/ministries seem to get shoved to the side as we tackle the immediacy of this day. 

In a completely different setting, I gave voice to this very worry about what feels like an onslaught of critical demands before us, wondering if we have capacity to put one more thing on our already full plate during a reproductive justice training. One of the curriculum developers addressed compassion fatigue with the reminder / encouragement that our commitment to engage justice work that disrupts and dismantles systems and structures that oppress is never a quick fix. Instead we must be a part of Jesus’ ministry for the long haul… dare I say our whole lives. And along the way, we create rest areas for weary workers to replenish and renew; moments of celebrations for glimpses of divine inbreaking; circles of lament when our grief feels too big to carry on our own. All of these sacred pockets are the work of the church through embodied worship.

And sometimes we just need a renewed call to action for those we may have unintentionally forgotten, as we climb out of pandemic isolation. It was this holy nudge that prompted my invitation for a preaching rather than mission moment for farm workers. As it seems with much calendar coordination these days, our invitation became more challenging than anticipated for the original speaker. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Julie Taylor, Director of the Farm Workers Ministry, facilitated another board member to join us. 

To my surprise and delight, that board member happened to be a dear colleague from my Disciple world, Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, who leads the Refugee and Immigration Ministries for the Christian Church and nationally bears witness for my denomination with energy and passion, holding leaders across our world accountable for their words and actions and laws that do not create divine hospitality and welcome for the stranger entrusted to our care. 

 
We will be challenged and stretched by Sharon’s presence and call to action.
 
I hope you will receive her with joy and grace and thanksgiving.

Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter
 
Living and working on occupied Shakori land. 
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