“Working together is the only way to create real change.”
“Every person who listens to and understands the issues can be part of a movement.”
On Sunday, as we recalled the story of the magi bearing gifts, we also considered what passions and gifts we bring to life. I invited folks to spend time and energy on those passions in the new year, and to use them to somehow support the common good- whether at North Parish or elsewhere. What I neglected to do was suggest that you turn, share your gifts, and get to know something interesting about each other.
If you’re curious about each other’s passions, you can read the responses that I collected here. I think many of these could be shared with the kids, youth or other adults in our congregation. What are your passions or gifts? I encourage you to keep talking about this in small groups, on short walks, at coffee hour. Who knows where the creative spirit and some surprising connections might lead?!
There is so much destruction, dysfunction and paralysis at the level of national and state government that it can be easy to sit at home, wringing our hands. Many of us are feeling horror and shellshock at the shooting death of 37-year-old mother of three Renee Nichole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, following close upon the bombing of Venezuela.
Seclusion, isolation and individualism are not the answer. As the Civil Rights leader Ella Baker said, “Working together is the only way to create real change.” On Sunday Jan. 18th, there will be a conversation about concrete ways to respond to the injustices we are witnessing.
We have such gifts in our gorgeous gathering space and our gathered community! We already have all we need to move forward, to be buoyed up, or to make a stink if we want to. We all have something to offer. I hope you’ll be part of the conversation and creative interchange in the weeks ahead.
Yours, with ice grippers on my soles but no ice in my heart,
Lee