Letter from Lindy Nov 22

Pilgrims,

The last Sunday in the year of our Lord, 2020. Can this year bring any more challenge? Any more worry and fear? Headlines seem to indicate so with troublesome news of attempted election certification manipulation; spite-filled firing of appointees whose responsible communication puts them at cross hairs with the outgoing President; continued refusal by elected Republican leaders to acknowledge the will of the people who also voted them into office. These times feel like I am back in my junior year living under a military dictatorship in Uruguay--I am in disbelief. This deliberate erosion of our democratic processes feels antithetical to the very government I worked for--one that shepherded fragile, nascent democracies into being throughout our hemisphere and beyond by our witness. My heart hurts for our nation.

So too, for this out-of-control Pandemic that we could help abate, or at least, flatten its curve, if only we would make choices for our collective well-being, rather than tend the seductive and destructive lies of individualism. Coming away from Durham’s Religious Roundtable on Wednesday where city and county officials implored us to use our pulpits to advocate caution, restraint, re-imagining for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, so we can gather next year--all of us. The numbers are increasing, alarmingly so, and we haven’t even crossed the holiday thresholds. Our seven day rolling average increases weekly at a significant rate. Hospital capacities are seasonally in the low 90%. Manageable if we make choices that protect and care for our families, and our fellow citizens. Looking at the cost of COVID-- lives lost over 250,000--again, my heart hurts for our people.

Lanny and I don’t travel too far to join family for Thanksgiving, as the Sunday thereafter is often the first Sunday of Advent, --an ushering in, not only of a new Christian year, but the in-breaking of Emmanuel, God-with-us. We so need God glimpses where love disrupts oppressive powers. Where care is collectively practiced. Where solidarity forms new relational patterns. Not just to see/feel God’s breath continuing to move in and through us, but also to hear God’s invitational call to participate in ushering in kindom on earth as it is in heaven. Perhaps this year more than ever.

Don’t forget, my beloved community, this Sunday, November 22, our worship service is on YouTube only. Fellowship with Holy Communion, though, will be on Zoom.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Lindy