“For those who seek to oppress others and the oppressed. We suffer together.” “A candle of hope that we all realize that we have a part to play to return to love and kindness!”
Good people,
At North Parish we have some small groups that use a monthly reflection guide called “Soul Matters”. Each month has a theme; the one for January is “practicing resistance”. When you hear the word “resist” who or what comes to mind? Your toddler? Protesters? Weightlifting? Turning your phone off? Doing the unexpected?
Here are a few of the suggested reflection questions this month:
- As a kid, did you resist the rules, or did you follow them? Do you see an echo of that earlier self in your life today?
- Is there a time from your past where you wish you found a way to resist fear?
- Has joy ever been an “act of resistance” for you?
- Did your parents engage in any acts of social justice resistance that shaped you?
- What small step could you take in the next month or two to make your resistance more radical?
Students of social change movements are suggesting that we broaden how we think of “resisting”. Satya Doyle Byock has proposed twenty “archetypes of resistance”: Healers, Musicians, Cooks, Neighbors, Observers, Civil Servants, Orators, Benefactors, Keepers of the Law, Prophets, Wisdom Keepers, Leaders, Writers, Defenders, Seed Keepers, Code Makers, Artists, Organizers, Underground Guides and Soul-Tenders, ( you can read more HERE). Deepa Iyer suggests social change works best in an “ecosystem” where people take on ten different roles: Caregivers, Healers, Storytellers, Guides, Weavers, Experimenters, Builders, Frontline Responders, Disrupters and Visionaries ( read more HERE).
More simply, as the Rev. Dr. King used to say, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” Back then, that included both college student civil rights organizers trained in non-violence and gun-toting grannies! (Those of you who were here last Sunday know what I mean.)
Our congregation is an ecosystem made for times like these. We are different sorts of people who are all clear that inhumanity must be resisted in every way possible. Whoever you are, however you are, thank goodness for you! See you at the Meeting House,
Rev. Lee