Letter from Lindy May 8

Hello Pilgrims,

May marks the month for mental health awareness. The topic has been much in current conversation as different spheres give voice to the toll these pandemic years have taken on so many. From those who were isolated to children/educators attempting to learn/teach remotely, to parents trying to juggle conjoined work/home demands, to overwhelmed workers whose leaving triggered the great resignation–even clergy have not been immune from its sweep (38% are leaving or considering leaving ministry). My sense is that we are not only groping our way out of the COVID pandemic, but we are also struggling to survive an emotionally devoid epidemic. Grace and forgiveness feel scarce. Their stresses on our mental health, high.

“We’re not ok” triggers can come at you sideways, (with full transparency and vulnerability) like in-person attendance in worship being smaller than the choir last Sunday–unexpectedly knocked the wind out of my sails. And the deflation has clung to me through the week, such that I just haven’t been able to rise anew. Even though I am trained to not focus on the numbers, they can’t help but generate those suffocating feelings of inadequacy. Like temptation whispering, it makes me tarry around the exodus statistic, for like every other profession, pastoral burn-out is real and tangible.

I confessed as such to Felix as we met this week for our staff regroup. Recognizing where I am in my year’s journey contributes to my ebb, I named, but even still, I’m lower than low. “Aren’t we all?” she responded, “what do you do when the church, as an institution, is struggling with depression?” Please hear when I say not every single Pilgrim may be suffering, some may be thriving, but collectively as the body of Christ, each member’s connective tissue is impactful on the whole–for good and for ill, biblically drawing from Paul’s analogy. As our W.I.S.E. team has shown us through this year’s ongoing mental health discussion, naming and claiming our truth is an important part of the journey. As is finding ways to help us walk through and beyond our valleys of the shadows of death (to borrow a verse from this week’s psalm.)

This conversation gave fodder for some creative brainstorming for Pilgrim’s summer months. What we might offer as opportunities for connection and participation that could help us move through our distress toward connection and community. We have some ideas that we will begin and plan for, but we also want to hear from you because we are better when we all contribute to our well being. We have broad therapeutic categories that could house our ideas: Checking In Proactively (let’s talk, walk, reconnect with intention) Get Outdoors (Our Creation Justice/Race and Equity Teams will be offering monthly opportunities for Pilgrims to get outside and let nature restore) Exercise (potential monthly “new” group exercise samplings) PracticingGratitude (orienting our hearts in appreciation as a communal discipline). Being Seen, Known and Missed (remembering the church’s mission to welcome all).

We got excited about our possibility. We hope you will too. Together we can rebuild the church whether brick by brick or person by person.

hope to see you Sunday,
Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter

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