A Word from Laura: Power of Peace
Almost a week after the murders in the Buffalo supermarket, of ten people shot by a white man who claimed to be targeting Black people, our hearts are still breaking. I have heard some Black friends speak of not feeling safe in public, of being re-traumatized by dangerously pervasive white supremacist ideology. I have heard white friends and Western members wanting just to do something. In this time when communities remain overwhelmed by this ever-mutating disease, and we all work more to achieve a sense of normalcy, I feel powerless.
These times of feeling powerless are also opportunities for us to learn how to figure out, of all the needs in the world, what are we called to address, as individuals or as a church? How do we know what is ours to do? It’s the work that our Free Inquiry class is doing, working together on the credo in response to Christian nationalism. Yet our world faces so many crises:
• nations torn apart by wars from within and invasion from beyond;
• a climate out of control;
• economically challenged communities hit harder by inflation;
• cultural and political backlash against those of us who identify as LGBTQIA+;
• threats to women’s reproductive choice;
• the manipulation of our social and political systems by those with Christian nationalist agendas;
• and once again the deadly combination of white supremacy and gun violence.
How do we, in faith, respond to crisis or suffering without being overwhelmed? What do we do when all the options seem so far out of our control? As we try to keep the balls in our lives rolling up ever-steeper hills, how do we hear and respond to God’s call?
For any of us, at any point in our lives, the work is to discern our call: the place where our gifts and joy respond to the deep needs of our world and community. And in that call, to imagine where Jesus is already at work, ready to meet us if we have the time and energy.
This Sunday, we’re hearing from Jesus in John’s gospel, giving his disciples the gift of peace, the gift that is already there for those who know how to open it. It’s a gift that doesn’t make everything in the world alright, but that gives those who would follow Jesus the patience and courage to know what is ours to do. It’s the peace that passes all understanding, but that helps us know when and how to act without being fully overwhelmed or re-traumatized. It’s peace, and it’s powerful, especially when we’re feeling powerless.
Come join us on Sunday. We’re always glad to see you on-line, but if you’re in the area, we hope you’ll be with us in-person! (Yes, out of love and respect for all who are in our space, we’re still wearing masks inside, only eating outside.)
May you be blessed with the peace that gives us power,
Laura