Dear friends,
As I reflect on the terror that has been inflicted on the nation’s capitol, this week, I hold you in my heart and prayers. Take the time you need to process this moment in history with your loved ones, families, and friends. Spend time in prayer. Ground yourself in the knowing that God is with us.
Happy New Year!
It was an honor to kick off the beginning of the Christian calendar year with you! Lighting the Advent candles, reflecting on the virtue of patience, longing together are all memories that we will remember for many years. Our Christmas Eve service and after party was a delight, and our time capsule captured the prophetic imagination of this church. I am grateful to be in community with you.
I invite us into the season of Epiphany (you can find the Epiphany scripture here), which ironically calls our attention back to the details of the Christmas story: the birth of Jesus and it’s threat to the Empire. Epiphany is more than an invitation to experience the revelation of God in our lives, it is an invitation to be mindful that the revelation of God comes amidst the havoc and terror of Empire. The three wise men followed their hearts and the stars to Christ (because they were astrologers!) Epiphany is very much like Advent, an invitation to keep watch and stay awake! When the wise men arrived, they surrendered to the awe of Spirit, and hastily made the difficult decision of disobeying the King. Can we maintain our sense of awe and wonder of Christ amidst the havoc and terror of Empire? Can we be discerning in our resistance strategies, like the wise men?
Surely, we know that God will be revealed to us over and over again through the testimonies that we will hear from our congregation this month. Surely, we know that the glory of God will be revealed to us as we approach the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, if we should decide to reflect on the latter years of King’s life and mission to eradicate poverty and war. Surely, we know that the glory of God will be revealed to us, as 2021 unfolds and we lean into the powerful force that is this community. May God’s peace wash over you through this trying week.
Pastor Tabatha
