Please note: This pondering concerns some of the members of Encanto Community Church UCC and not others. If you are not experiencing these stresses, I pray that you continue to find peace and comfort in your lives. I am not choosing one group of congregants over the others but am concerned about all of you and need to address those in pain.
My heartbroken congregation, I have learned over January of the stresses and despair you have felt as the inauguration was pending. Today, as I sit here writing, I am waiting for the inauguration to start. I am planning on watching the inauguration out of respect for the peaceful transfer of power. We were uncertain four years ago, whether we had seen the last days of the peaceful transfer of power.
Now, we are living during the days of a new administration. We all have our own opinions regarding the current administration as we have had about prior administrations. I am not interested in comparing this administration to any form of character analysis or acceptable civil standards but to listen and speak to the Christian values we confirm and are seeing challenged or dismissed. The Christian values of love, justice and peace are the center of our character and the foundation upon the actions of the church as displayed in the life, ministry and mission of Jesus. (Short Pause)
Well, the inauguration speech is over and my heart breaks to see the number of God’s beloved children who have been demeaned and treated as if they have no value to America, or the earth and portrayed as a threat to God’s world. It breaks my heart to see all of God’s creation treated as a commodity for monetary gain and with no concern for the future existence of creation as a whole. Even in heartbreak, I cannot live in fear! Seeing the next four years through the lens of fear will destroy each person spiritually, emotionally and mentally. When we destroy our spiritual, emotional and mental health, our physical bodies will break down. We will eventually destroy ourselves. That is not God’s plan for us!
The administration’s list of Executive Orders is just that – Executive Orders. Yet, some Executive Orders are not the final word. You can (to name a few agencies) follow the ACLU (nationally and locally) to see the actions they are taking against certain Executive Orders, the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Human Rights Campaign, Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and Legal Defense Fund and more. All of these agencies and more will continue to follow the administration’s actions closely and respond as necessary.
One specific administrative action being taken that is causing harm with our corporation, regards DEI which violates the basic principles of faith communities. If you are troubled by these actions, you can fight these actions in a non-violent way. If corporations end DEI programming it does not mean the Church has to accept corporations’ decisions and new policies. You can evaluate how you want to spend your resources and decide which companies your will or will not support. We each have to decide if our values and beliefs will guide us or convenience. Individuals cannot stop all administrative actions by themselves or collectively, especially those that might be view as unconstitutional. Issues of unconstitutionality have to be decided by the courts and we have to rely on those who have the talents and skills to fight on the legal side for the constitution. An administration may to increase their power beyond those assigned to each position but it is a very long road and desiring is not fulfilment. Christian values challenge and the societal structure viewed as God’s realm will stand strong against challenges.
The ability to live abundantly and not in fear begins by focusing on our values in everyday choices and behaviors. A life abundant means we continue to serve God by upholding our values in personal and community actions and serving those who are marginalized and harmed by governmental actions. We can do this. We can be strong. We can focus on the good and TRUST that God is working in areas we cannot work and working in each person. If anything, this is a test only a test! Remember also that many things done can be undone in 2 or 4 years. This administration if not for eternity – only God is for eternity.
If needed, Encanto Community Church can develop support groups within the church to discuss our concerns, to help us focus on what we can change, to correct misinformation, to practice self-care techniques, to practice civil discourse and to refocus our attention off of fear and back to God. I only need to know your wants and needs. We can hold prayer groups, but I pray with the intent of seeking inner peace and the strength to get off my knees and do my part in creating God’s realm.
I hold all of you in my prayers and concerns during this time of uncertainty and chaos some may be experiencing. Please be loving to yourself and faithful to God through Jesus. Look for the Spirit – who is extremely powerful.
Blessings,
Rev. Gloria