Northminster Family,
There is much healing that needs to be done in our nation. There is much to grieve, much to hope, much to long for, and much for which we can be grateful. And for those that need to hear it: whichever of those you are leaning into most at this moment, that's okay. We can't feel everything at once.
As we recover from the longest campaign season in memory, and make our way through the post-election period, whatever headlines it continues to bring, may we each engage the work of peacemaking with a spirit of love. Below we share some wisdom from former pastor, author and speaker Brian McLaren, offered on the eve of Election Night last week. May his words guide us toward a more compassionate presence to our friends, families, and community.
Carrying on,
Claire
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The Rhetoric That Frees Us
by Brian McLaren
Blessed are the peacemakers, Jesus said. If we want to take the exit ramp from the broad path that leads to violence and follow the narrow road that leads to peace, we will need to develop the skills of peacemaking.
Here are four of those skills that I have been learning over the years, often by taking three steps forward and two steps back …
1. The skill of differing graciously.
When we hear people say something false or harmful, it’s tempting to say, “You’re wrong!” or “You’re stupid,” which just adds to stress and causes people to dig in their heels even more in self-defense. It’s also tempting to just remain silent, which, in a sense, gives tacit permission for the harm and disinformation to continue. So instead, try something like this: “Wow. I see that differently.” We learn to define ourselves without making our neighbor defensive. We learn to speak our truth, never staying silent in the face of misinformation or harmful messages. We avoid toxic silence and toxic reactions by saying, “Wow. I see that differently.”
2. The skill of offering comfort.
When people are under stress, they behave badly, so one of the ways we can relieve stress is by offering comfort. We can do so by naming people’s stress and pain and offering empathy and understanding. If we do the opposite by saying, “Don’t be negative! Have hope! Be strong!” we may actually add to our neighbor’s stress and make it harder for our neighbor to be positive, hopeful, and strong. So we can say things like this: “We’re all carrying a lot right now. This is a hard time. I know you’re hurting. I can imagine how hard this is for you.” That kind of empathy lifts burdens and helps people act from their better self.
3. The skill of mourning and lament.
Many of us are carrying deep grief over real and threatened losses. Yet few of us find a safe place to tenderly speak of those losses. We can help others by going first – by setting the stage with our own sharing of loss. We someone asks, “How are you doing?” we can say, “I’m feeling a sense of loss today.” Often, your neighbor will ask you to share more, and you can name real or threatened losses: “I feel a loss of innocence, I feel we’re losing our norms of honesty and decency, I am afraid we’re going to lose our democracy.” After you share, you can then say, “How about you? Are you feeling anything similar?” Your act of creating conversational space for mourning and lament will reduce the mental stress and isolation for both you and your neighbor, leaving you both less vulnerable to becoming hateful and violent and more able to make peace.
4. The skill of support and reaffirmation.
A friend and I were discussing politics and it turned into an argument. Frankly, it was ugly. When we met up a few weeks later, he said, “Every day since our argument, I have woken up feeling terrible about how I yelled at you. You’re my friend, and I really value your friendship. I’m sorry.” Those words, “I really value our friendship” were like a healing balm. We might think expressions of support like that go without saying, but they are important and needed. “I know we voted differently, but I really value you as my neighbor/coworker/cousin/friend” – imagine if millions of people say those words in the coming days. It will contribute to a more peaceful world, especially when we imagine the potential impact of opposite words.
“Blessed are the peacemakers”doesn’t mean being passive, failing to speak truth, failing to name loss, or pretending everything is fine when it isn’t — in the name of “civility.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers” means “Blessed are those who develop the skills that make for peace.”
May you and I be among the blessed movement of God’s peacemakers.
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The Prayers of the People
An opportunity to celebrate and pray alongside siblings in our community.
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We pray alongside...
All those in our nation who watch and wait for our government to resolve the question of leadership. May peace prevail over violence, and may we commit to seeking justice and love, come what may.
Tracy Sandow, as he recovers from total knee surgery last week.
Tim and Marissa Jaquess, as Tim's sister Carolyn is on hospice.
Stan Hastey, retired Executive Director of the Alliance of Baptists, as he recovers from COVID-19 while mourning the passing of his wife, Bettie, who died of the virus last week.
Miranda Seal, as she is quarantining at home this week with COVID-19.
Debi Chandler, as she is quarantining at home this week with COVID-19.
We celebrate alongside...
Tim Eich (13th), Heidi McKenzie (13th), Mel Mobley (14th), Peter Helton (14th),
Carol Ann Tubbs (17th), Charli Archer (17th), Scout Archer (17th)
Ken McKenzie (17th), Amy Higginbotham (19th), and Marianne Wilcox (19th)
as they celebrate their birthday.
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If you have concerns or celebrations you would like us to add to the newsletter, please call the church office or email office@northmin.org.
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The Work of the People
How we are responding to the Spirit of Love
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Business Meeting: Sunday, 6pm |
This Sunday evening at 6pm, join us for our regularly scheduled business meeting over Zoom. It's a great chance to see the faces we've been missing, touch base about the work of the church in this season, and maybe even hear about a way you could be more involved! |
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Grateful for the Chance to
Gather & Worship Outdoors
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Thanks to the 30 or so folks who joined us for our first attempt at an outdoor service this past Sunday afternoon. Of course, it will be a while before we're back to anything like "normal," but it was good to gather together, good to see the top half of each other's faces, good know with our bodies what we've known in our hearts all along: that we are not alone. We hope to see you again soon. |
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Still Time to Contribute to the Virtual Advent Booklet! |
Advent is fast approaching, and what is already a difficult season for many promises to be even darker in the increased isolation of the pandemic. One direct way you can show up for those in your community is by contributing to this year’s collection of Advent reflections.
The theme of this year’s collection is “Waiting.” Advent has always been about waiting – about waiting for Christ to show up anew and anew, about learning to wait actively for the future to which we're called, about preparing a space as best we can when so much is out of our control.
If you’d like to be involved in this initiative to draw closer, to draw deeper, and to make meaning out of a chaotic season of waiting, there's still a little time to get your submission in, but our initial deadline is this Sunday, Nov. 15th - so let us know if you're working on something and we can pencil you in! If you missed the churchwide email with more detailed instructions, click here for more info.
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Holy Ideas
How might we respond to the Spirit of Love?
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In this new season of social distancing, we need holy ideas to help stretch our imaginations for what is possible within this community more than ever.
Since we can't make use of the physical "Holy Ideas" board in the hallway, we'll maintain it virtually and keep it updated here in the newsletter. If you have an idea for a way the church can be church in this season, or if you see an idea you'd like to support to help it become reality, email the office.
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Giving to Northminster
Support Northminster's Work
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We are sensitive to the reality that financial uncertainty is one of the side effects of the spread of the coronavirus. However, if you find yourself in a position to continue or increase your contributions to the church, know that your donation will be greatly appreciated. We have made the decision to honor our commitments to all those on our payroll (ministers, staff, choral scholars, childcare) who are relying on this income in an anxious time, and we cannot do that without your continued support.
To support Northminster financially, you can click here, or scan the QR code below with the camera on your phone.
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Sunday 11/8
10am - Sunday School
10:45am - Preludes and Online Chat
11am - Sunday Morning Liturgy
After Worship - Narthex Chat
6pm - Business Meeting
Wednesday 11/11
6:45pm - Digital Choir "Rehearsal"
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Worship This Week
The texts this week are Zephaniah 1 and 1 Thessalonians 5.
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