In my sermon on August 17th, I invited the congregation to share thoughts about the role of the church (St. Clare’s particularly, not the universal church) in this troubled time, and I was not at all surprised to find that people responded with thoughtful wisdom. People discussed forming ecumenical coalitions, finding ways to engage in visible public witness, and supporting and joining individuals who feel passionate about a particular issue. We’re interested in finding ways to counter false news and misinformation, seeking out conversations that lead to new understanding, sharing our faith in public ways, and finding ways to invite the community into partnership with the justice work we’re passionate about.
More practical concerns involved seeking out attorney friends who could potentially help people who have been disenfranchised, finding a central way to share our ideas and actions, and using the St. Clarian to spread word of protests or actions (and also potentially arrange for carpooling). We heard a reminder to keep our actions positive rather than let them become vilification of people who believe differently and a reminder to keep ourselves rooted in gratitude as we engage in this work.
Furthermore, we were asked to keep St. Clare’s as a place where people can come to renew their hope.
I appreciate this thoughtful discussion so much, but it’s not over! This is an ongoing discussion as we move forward, and I would love to hear your thoughts on what we should be doing—from the mystical and philosophical to the highly logistical and practical. Let’s keep this exchange going.
–Rev. Toby