Summer greetings!!
I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the sunshine! Can’t believe that we are already celebrating Children’s Sunday and introducing “Level Up” Sunday. We will be celebrating Graduates, Sunday School Teachers, Children AND especially our 8th graders who are “Levelling Up” into youth ministry with a special ceremony and special prayers marking this faith milestone for them.
This past Thursday, in the after party group, we were challenged more than I think any of us expected. We discussed how to understand people who take amore combative approach to politics.
One of my favorite quotes from the video was “You’re not learning when you’re litigating.” Litigating means making an argument. Also, the video discussed what they called the Partisan Mind. When our politics tale on a level of identity that should be reserved for more ultimate identity markers. For example, apparently in the United States, people are more willing for their children to marry someone wiht a different religion, than someone with a different political party. Finally, the discussion ended with a reminder the principalities and powers manifest in actual physical people. When we put on the full armor of God that the Apostle Paul writes about in Ephesians 6, it’s actually faith and a call to prayer that estinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one. We are to ready ourselves with the gospel of peace.
I’m reading a book right now for the Anti-Racism Discipleship Pathway through the ECC called, “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Menakem. In it, the author talks about how often our past experiences and the traumatic experiences of the generations before us, lead us to act combatively when there are other healthier responses. I wonder if you can recall a time when you either witnessed someone else or yourself taking a more combative approach to a situation. Can you sit with the memory for a few minutes? Where did that response come from? Is there an area in you or another person that needs to heal? Can you acknowledge the wound? Can you imagine how God would offer healing in that area?
If you’d like to join us for the After Party, we’d love to have you! We are meeting in my office from 6:30 – 8pm tonight. 🙂
Blessings to you all!
Pastor Karen
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