Love is the Way
November 16th, 2020
by Keli Shipley Cooper
Love is the Way by Bishop Michael Curry with Sara Grace
This evening, I will be facilitating a conversation on The Way of Love by Bishop Michael Curry and Sara Grace. Each month, we gather to discuss one book and I'm so excited to discuss this book with some of you all. Spoiler alert: I definitely recommend reading it.

Each chapter of this book addresses a different question that Bishop Curry is frequently asked:

  1. What is love?
  2. How do I find God's love?
  3. How do I find the energy to keep loving when the world seems to be going the other way?
  4. Can love really change the world?
  5. Won't loving everybody make me a doormat?
  6. I'm just a regular person, so how can my love have an impact?
  7. I'm told to love my neighbor, but who is my neighbor?
  8. What if love reveals me to be a hypocrite?
  9. Do I have to love even my enemy?
  10. How can love overcome what divides us and move us forward together?
  11. Does love mean avoiding politics?
  12. How can love make "E Pluribus Unum" real in America without erasing anybody?

Talk about some heavy questions to tackle in 255 pages.

Do any of these questions stand out to you?

There is so much that I'm tempted to share about this book; but, today, I leave you with question number one. What is love?

Consider how you define love. Love as a noun? Love as a verb? Consider people whom you consider the embodiment of "love." Are there places that you love? Are there moments where you have experienced love? What do you consider the way of love?

Nowadays, love may not come as easily as it used to for some people. Whether it's COVID, the political climate, climate change, the loss of a loved one, or anything in between- these times can often feel heavy with grief. What does it look like to continue to remind ourselves to embody love- to let love permeate our actions, our words, and our everyday lives?

The Way of Love concludes with this charge- this blessing that sends us back into this world. I promise you that this does not spoil the book. Read this as a blessing for this week (and/or much longer):

"So don't give up on love.
Listen to it.
Trust it.
Give into it.
Obey it.
Love can help and heal when nothing else can.
Love can lift us and liberate when nothing else will.
May God love you and bless you.
And may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.
Amen."
My name is Keli Shipley Cooper and I am the Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Paul's. We are excited to share stories, readings, Scripture, and practices with you all. In this time of physical distancing, we still join together through prayer and technology as we continue to be the church from at least six feet apart. 

We are glad that you are here. 

If you would like to respond to or discuss any piece of this devotion, reply directly to this e-mail to connect with Keli Shipley Cooper.
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In preparation for the season of Advent which begins Sunday, November 29th, we are offering Advent Bags. Our Advent Bags will provide you with resources and ways to engage with St. Paul’s throughout the season. There will be two options for pick-up: November 22nd and 29th between 2:00-4:00 p.m., and delivery is also available, as needed.

To learn more about the contents of the bag and how to request one, CLICK HERE. Please make your requests by Monday, November 23rd.

Contact Keli Shipley Cooper at kshipleycooper@stpaulsrva.org with any questions!
Reminder of Opportunities

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For a complete schedule of offerings, visit This Week @ St. Paul's.