Reflecting on the Way… ahead!
“…Think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. 3 After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” – James 1: 2 – 3 CEB
I have heard from several of our Clergy who were moved and challenged by our most recent keynote speakers, in their presentations, during our Regional Gathering and Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. These were some difficult conversations, because as Disciples, we do not always see eye to eye in our exegesis of a sacred scripture and still we remain, united, counting these challenges as “occasions for joy” for our rootedness is deep in the love of Christ.
Joy? Yes! There is so much to lament in the world, war, pandemic, racism, economic challenges, and disagreements, etc. There is so much for us to pray! It can be there are many more things, right now, that can be tests to our faith. But I think the author of James wants us to imagine more the other side of the tests. One of my favorite authors, Austin Channing Brown, a while ago wrote a blog, citing the poet Toi Derricotte as revolutionizing black feminism with one line in a poem, “Joy is an act of resistance.”
Joy? Yes! There are still many beautiful things happening in the world that need our notice as well. We need to respond to all the lament with prayer, advocacy, and our gifts (time, talent, and treasures). But we to have the many outcomes in the past and present enough to know there are still “occasions for joy.” If we hold on to our faith, with tenacity, our endurance will complete its work, so that together we will lack nothing and witness our love for God and for each other. “Joy is an act of resistance” in the face of the seemingly impossible and outlook of a better day ahead.
We take great Joy in the planning and efforts of our re-opening of Loch Leven Conference Center for Summer Camp this year. We take great Joy in the beginnings of planning and efforts for a PSWR Hybrid Regional Assembly later this year. I take great Joy for the congregations of the Pacific Southwest calling me to serve as your Regional Minister. There is so much happening all around us, please don’t neglect to find that which can bring Joy to you and realize that it is an act of resistance.
Our Region is filled with a beautiful array of diversities in culture, languages, music, worship, social and theological perspectives and much more. This has caused me to wonder if you are interested in sharing some of your own thoughts with me about the Way... ahead! How about we enjoy some time of blogging with each other if you so desire?
Please consider all the events listed in this PSWR E-News. Let’s reflect together on the Way… ahead!
Blessings,
Richie