From the moment we wake until sleep finds us at the end of the day - and then even in our dreams - it is hard to escape all of the fear, pain, and anger of these days. Every day is a new opportunity for existential whack-a-mole. We are waiting, unsure when or where the next urgent thing will shoot to the surface, but knowing that it will. That level of alert and alarm is not sustainable. What then, shall we do?
Jennifer Warren, a sociologist, has offered some reflections and guidance that can help us as we make our way forward. Summarizing her points, she points out that the goal of the strategy we are seeing is to overwhelm us, in every possible way, to create chaos and flood our cognitive limits. Recognizing that is helpful. We cannot keep up, but that should not make us give up. What we can do is set boundaries - to choose 2-3 key issues about which we care deeply, and keep our focus there. Look to experts to help us get the big picture, and not get bogged down in the ever-changing minutia. Take breaks. Take time to process. Take care of yourself. Go slow - don’t try to respond immediately to the latest thing. Her final recommendation is to build community, to share the cognitive and work load, to network intelligence rather than trying to keep on top of everything individually.
The kind of community we build as the body of Christ is critical in the work of social action and justice. Our voices and gifts are needed, now more than ever. We are needed. We cannot do everything. We cannot respond to everything. But together, we can discern what is ours to do in this time. Once we do that, we can prepare for and engage more deeply in the work ahead.
The Session spent some time reflecting on our call, and coming out of that discussion, we identified some key priorities moving forward. The top two concerns were clear: supporting our immigrant neighbors and the LGBTQIA+ community. Starting Sunday, February 9th and continuing through Sunday, March 2, we will hold a series of conversations during the Nurture time, each focused on one of the priorities for conversation and action coming out of our retreat.
While these will continue to take shape, the basic topics will include:
February 9 - In light of the current social and political landscape, how can we best live out our calling as Trinity Presbyterian Church?
February 16 - Immigration - what is the need? What is our calling?
February 23 - LGBTQIA+ support and inclusion - what is the need? What is our calling?
March 2 - Where do we go from here?
We hope you will plan to join us for these conversations, which will follow some guidelines for conversation to allow space for all people and voices to be heard. Until then, take care of yourself and others. Choose a small thing you can do each day to do just that. Feel free to share with me or with someone else the specific thing(s) you are doing to care for yourself!
Praying for peace and sending you love,
Stephanie
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