"Hello" from the Pastor

 Pastor’s Corner

Shalom y’all,

What are you willing to risk? This is from a recent newsletter called The Amalgamation by Bruce Reyes-Chow: 

As I have been traveling to different places over the past few months, it is clear that people are worried and yearning for ways to resist, not just in ways that feel good, but in ways that will actually make a difference. This has so moved me because it feels as if some folks are beginning to realize that this time in our history is not just one more phase in the natural rhythms and seasons of the life of a baby democracy, but that we are looking at the real possibility of an authoritarian regime that is going to lead to death and and suffering beyond our imagination. 

So, what will we do? I keep hearing people talking about fighting back and resisting. I listen to others telling others to fight back harder on their behalf. And then some are choosing to ignore it all because it's all too depressing. While I cannot do anything about those who are choosing to ignore the fact that at some point the guns will be pointed at them, for those who want to push back on what is happening, I say, find the act of resistance that truly presents a risk to you. Choose an action that brings you into solidarity with those who are responding out of their own places of risk. Show the communities to which you belong that this is so important to you that you are willing to risk something important to you for a movement greater than yourself. When we risk, we inspire others to risk, and the movement grows. When we risk, resistance becomes real. 

At the end of the day, risk is deeply personal and contextual, lending itself to its contextual power. For some, taking part in a march like the Women's Marches of the past or No Kings, is a huge step and will feel like a deep personal risk. There may be many in their circle who may be impacted by that act. They may even risk damaging relationships and possibly even jeopardizing their employment. For others, the same action may be easy and seen as mainstream with no risk at all, either personally or professionally. For these individuals, they might risk being part of a larger scale action, participating in an action at work, organizing a public demonstration, or speaking out at a public hearing where their name is entered into the public record. 

And for others, risk could look like… posting on social media; running for office; taking part in less mainstream protests; leading workshops; writing to someone in detention; showing up when asked; staying in relationships; leaving relationships; being trained in de-escalation tactics; becoming a legal observer; preaching sermons; providing housing; teaching children about justice; accompanying people to court; taking part in vigils; volunteering with a non-profit; leading prayers; writing articles or op-eds; giving more money; being that one voice; and so on and so on... 

Blessings, 

Pastor Tom