Dear Covenant Family,
It was a joy to celebrate Pentecost with you and ordain/install our new elders and deacons, as well as commission new trustees. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because the Holy Spirit arrived with power and might, and lots of languages! As much as we might seek to understand the Spirit, I’m not sure that’s possible…if understanding means defining, categorizing, limiting, or capturing. We don’t have to understand the Holy Spirit; as long as we understand that we need the Holy Spirit to heal our wounds, ignite faith, and fill up our hearts to overflowing, holding us together in bonds of community strong enough to withstand the storms, giving us one voice of unity out of the many diverse voices among us.
If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that we are only as well as our community. We cannot bubble ourselves away from the consequences of racism, sexism, violence, pandemic, or anything else. Every one of these forces has a way of leaving a mark on us in different ways. What does it take to build a community elastic enough to withstand the blows of the world? How do we manage conflict and account for burnout and discomfort? How do we hold on to shared principles while valuing difference of opinion? What brings us to this community of faith? What keeps us here through the good and bad times? Who keeps us here?
Julian of Norwich once said,
“If there is anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown to me. But this was shown: that in falling and rising again we are always kept in that same precious love.”
Our church is in a period of rising again after Covid, and we will need the help of God’s Spirit to hold us together and to keep us strong and agile. My friend Sharon Garner is a clergywoman who has a vibrant ministry of writing, spiritual direction and retreats. As she prepared to attend a recent gathering of the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, she wrote the prayer below. I’m sharing it with you because it is my prayer too- “even amidst our beloved mess we are assured of our belovedness”.
Don’t miss this Sunday’s youth service, exploring the theme of brokenness to wholeness. Come, Holy Spirit!
Peace,
Pastor Jessie
