Dear Ecumenical friends,
And now comes the election, the response to the election, and the path forward. These may be difficult times for families, congregations and communities. We're facing severe polarities; rigidity has set it. When facing the unknown, it is wise to remember the known.
Our faith teaches us patience. We are often challenged to hold onto hope. We do that with patience. We do not despair because we trust that God is always at work in the world -- for good and not for evil. When God's good work is difficult to see, we remember the promise of new life within every seed buried in dark soil. Patience is the long view on God's coming redemption, renewal, reconciliation of all creation. We do not give up on God's promises...and so we are patient. We keep on working to share our faith and make the world a just, secure and delightful place for all. Signs of our determination to continue are sprinkled in the following articles.
We are also taught by Jesus to “put ourselves out there” as peacemakers. We know how to listen respectfully. We understand the norms of non-anxious conversation that reduce tensions. We bear abuse and ridicule because we know in the end, the truth will be shouted from the rooftops. Our Christ-like paths of peacemaking are confirmed by the articles below.
And finally, when we’re confined to our homes, when we’re supporting ministries but no longer in “hands-on” ways, when we’re feeling cut off from society as a whole – we still have the powerful resource of prayer.
We lament; we mourn; we express gratitude; we seek guidance; we wait patiently; we pray for peace; we repent; and we do so hour after hour, day after day, year after year. Prayer may be the finest contribution we can make as we stand before the unknown. As we move into the difficult days of November, I believe the testimonies included below will refresh your patience, peacemaking and prayers in the coming days.
Trusting in your witness of patience, peacemaking and prayer,
I remain your companion in Christ.
Grace and Peace, Kay Huggins, Interim Executive Director
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School Meals for APS Students |
Online Presentation on
November 9 @ 6:30 pm
The featured presenter is APS Food and Nutrition Services director Sandra Kemp, who will share statistics on meals served, food service staffing at schools and more. Melanie Lewis, Community School Coordinator for three elementary schools along Central Avenue and a member if the IHC education committee, will share stories about families and a monthly mobile food pantry that serves the three schools.
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Hozho Chapel Altar adorned with a Navajo Basket,
Navajo Hair Brush, Abolone Shell, and Cedar
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Harvest season is upon us in Navajoland. In early September, first thunder echoed loudly across the heaves within the four sacred mountains. Holy prayers making known summer is passed. First thunder reminds us to get ready for the autumn and winter season. It is during this time, the Diné begin to harvest their summer planting – corn, squash, melons, and other produce to share with relatives and friends as gestures of healing and gratitude to Creator God. The Diné celebrate this holy season with harvest songs and dances, and ceremonies of gratitude.
The Hozho Wellness center is a place of such a ceremony, where healing is in motion. Women’s Alcoholic Anonymous sessions are gradually beginning and Al-non will begin soon. Coping and healing programs are in the early stages of planning for the fall/winter seasons. These programs will consist of ways to cope in time of COVID and strengthening of spirituality through elder story sharing and teachings. We continue to move forward giving thanks and praise to Creator God in our hearts for the harvest season.
Rev. Canon Cornelia Eaton
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November 17 @ 6:30pm
Register to participate
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Join Spirit in the Desert, Bread for the World and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry for a rare opportunity to engage one-on-one with Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of the prominent non-partisan Christian advocacy organization, Bread for the World in a virtual town hall format. Rev. Cho will address Hunger and Poverty in the Southwest. |
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A call for bold peacemaking
during the election
By Mennonite Church USA staff
Peacemakers are most needed during times of uncertainty, fear and polarization.The United States has been dealing with all three in 2020, exacerbated by a pandemic and the urgency surrounding the presidential election.
No one knows what will happen on or after Election Day. The heightened emotions and mistrust across the political spectrum make widespread violence seem more possible than in years past. As followers of Jesus, what do we do in a time such as this? Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Our nation, state, cities and churches need peacemakers more than ever in the weeks and months ahead. Peacemakers do not hide safely behind the status quo, ignoring the rise of violence, while thanking God for personal safety. Peacemakers show up boldly with love and deepen relationships with those who are most vulnerable to bodily and systemic violence. Peacemakers consider the complexity of violence — that structural systems of oppression are already operating in violent ways. Peacemakers look at the roots of violence and join the work to seek transformative justice for all.
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When, O When, Will Church Women United Meet Again? |
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A Zoom World Community Day!
Vision for the Future-- Resolved to Love
Nov. 6 at 10am
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Can we, as Church Women United, catch a vision for the future and write it down so we and others can advocate for a better and more peaceful world?
The service is based on the vision the Lord told Habakkuk 2:2 "Write down this message, record it legibly on Tablets, so the one who announces it may read it easily." The Zoom gathering will be done via computer and Marilyn Stoops will send you link.
Email her by clicking here.
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From the Presbytery of Santa Fe Earth Care:
Friday, Nov. 20 7-8:30 pm a Film Festival
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The six films (ranging from 6 to 15 minutes each ) cover topics such as successful land reclamation, methane release in the four corners region, and the future of food production.
The evening is appropriate for older children, youth, and adults (families). With Earth's temperatures continuing to rise and this year's growing number of Climate events, the films promise to be both educational and hopeful.
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A Prayer for Civility shared by the
Archdiocese of Santa Fe
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A PRAYER FOR CIVILITY
Lord, make me an instrument
of your peace.
Where uncivil words prevail,
show me how to model love.
Help me remember the God-given dignity of all
and invite others to do the same.
Show me how to build bridges and not walls
and see first what unites us rather than how we diverge.
Let me seek to understand before asking to be understood.
Give me a listening heart filled with empathy and compassion.
May I be clear in sharing my own position and respectful
and civil in describing those of others.
Let me never tolerate hateful ideas.
May I invite all to charity and love. Lord, help me to imitate
your compassion and mercy.
Make me an instrument of your peace. Amen.
Inspired by Nine Rules for Civility from the Catholic Tradition, Bishop Zubik
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Saving the Best for Last...and also, it's a 2021 date! |
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