Dear Ones,

As I watch this attempted overthrow of our government today, I am filled with so many different and troubling emotions.  I know you are too … and before I share some of mine, I want to invite us to come together as an All Saints community tonight from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. online https://allsaints-pas.zoom.us/j/88149346453 for a time of prayer and community in a time of crisis. We will have a chance to pray together, hear words of challenge, comfort and hope, and share what is on our hearts. 

For my part, some of what I am feeling right now is this…

I am horrified that we have come to this … and that the President of the United States has actively encouraged a violent subverting of the lawful votes cast by the American people.

I am furious as I am filled with memories of standing with young black women, men and nonbinary children of God armed only with signs and the message of “stop killing us” who were met with exponentially more force than was used to protect our Capitol building this day. That this would happen the day after Kenosha, WI prosecutors endorsed the shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed black man seven times in the back without sanction is not an unrelated event to what is happening in Washington right now.

I am frightened that a crowd of maskless thousands is creating a superspreader event that will take even more lives from this pandemic.

I am heartsick that our national wounds are being laid bare so conspicuously … and without a clear path forward for healing.

And … I am struck by the inevitability of what is happening today.

Paul famously writes in Galatians “you reap whatever you sow” … and that is clear today. The seeds of this insurrection have been sown for decades and even generations.

And … that is not all Paul writes in Galatians. Before these words Paul assures us that “God will not be mocked” … and then a sentence later he continues:

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all.

I am weary right now … and I imagine many of you are as well. And … together we are strong. Together we will not grow weary in doing what is right. In letting the love that heals flow through us. In trusting that we are loved, that we can love, and that love will always prevail.

That begins with us coming together in prayer and in love.  In laying our lives, our hearts, our feelings on the table with honesty and integrity. Sharing together. Weeping together. Raging together. Sitting in stunned silence together. Praying together.

That’s what we will be doing tonight. I hope you will be a part of it.

We are seeing a deep wound brought to the surface this day.

And … our God who is love will not be mocked. For there is no wound so deep that love cannot heal.

I hope to see you tonight.

Con el amor de Cristo,
Mike

To access the Zoom meeting by phone call in at these numbers

1-669-900-6833,,88149346453#

1-408-638-0968,,88149346453#