Letter from Lindy Aug 23

 Pilgrims,
 
How are you, today! This week? In a number of my physically distanced, pastoral walks and talks, we have lamented about how the veil of tears is hovering just behind, never knowing what nor when will be the trigger. More deaths from COVID. More treachery against foundational tenets of democracy. More harassment and killing of black, brown, and trans siblings. More cries of protests of not being able to breathe.
 
The other day, Felix implored me to imagine cultivating moments of laughter, silliness and joy before or within our worship service and my initial fleeting reaction was I could not because I’m not sure I have any in reserve to draw from. When was the last time something triggered an uncontainable, belly-rolling barrel of laughs? Being able to laugh and/or cry amidst is important because each allows us to release the emotions we are packing down in our isolated states.
 
The other emotion that often feels just out of grasp is peace. As these pandemics have laid bare the structural and systemic inequities of our country, the common refrain I hear from folks is that they want to “do”. Not talk. Not read. Not study. Not pray. But do. I get it. But I’m also grounded in the wise counsel of Richard Rohr, “I believe that the combination of human action from a contemplative center is the greatest art form, one that takes our whole lives to master. When action and contemplation are united, we have beauty, symmetry, and transformation—lives and actions that heal the world by their very presence. Jesus is the perfect example of this, but we can also point to the lives of many saints, mystics, teachers, and even people we know, who share this gift.”
 
Pilgrim, I want us to share in this gift, together. We are doing. Our COVID Response; our anti-racism/equity; our creation care teams along with our boards are doing the very justice-guided ministry of Jesus. What I want us to create within our doing is a collective contemplative center—yes even while practicing safe, physical distancing. How will we do so? A first step, by joining together, yet individually, in a Pilgrim-wide art retreat, “Pilgrims Ponder Peace” over the month of September.
 
Under the creative guidance of Claudia Fulshaw, each Pilgrim (or Pilgrim family and/or friends) is invited to join in creating and planting their very own peace pole which we will collectively bless and display on Pilgrim’s campus World Communion Weekend (10/4). After which you will be invited to plant your pole at your home to bear witness in your own communities our hope of ushering in peace on earth….as it is in heaven. What might peace look like to you? What dreams of peace is God planting within you? I'd love to see!
 
In the coming week, we will send you the timeline, details, registration link, questions for pondering as you create, and the cost for materials. Please do not let cost deter your involvement. If funds are tight, we can help defray the cost so you take part.
 
Pilgrims, this very idea lights the embers of my hope. I pray it will yours as well.
 
Grace and peace, 
Pastor Lindy