Weekly Rector's Note: Celebrating Pride

Dear Saints,

What is giving you energy right now? This question is one that we ask regularly in our Southeast Sacred Organizing Cohort. I like this exercise, in part, because it’s energizing to simply think about the things that give you energy!

At our parish, some of the energy-giving things that have been happening this last week are:

• Our participation in The Voices Project Juneteenth weekend celebration. The artists on Friday night were fabulous. Vendors felt celebrated and a few even sold out of their product at the fair on Saturday. We heard powerful offerings by Mercedes Munoz and Rev. Ernestein. PLEASE check them out if you missed them by watching the service or on our podcast. We had the support of eight neighborhood businesses and organizations through sponsorships and advertising. And best of all, connections were made for future opportunities.
• The Altar Guild appreciation luncheon and welcome of new members. We have nine people on Altar Guild now, almost half of whom are new.
• Getting ready for our celebration of Pride this Sunday. Wear your rainbow colors and be ready to beautify the steps of our church with prayers, positive messages and drawings. Deacon Kathleen made Pride Prayer Shawls that we will be blessing in our service. Please let me know if you would like one or know anyone who might.

Next weekend I will be away. We had a trip postponed due to Covid and next week/weekend ended up being the one time that extended family members were available. Then July 10 we welcome our ordinand from England, Alex Firman. Alex is excited to be joining us and it will be wonderful to have him with us.

Lastly, I know the Supreme Court decision yesterday on guns and today on Roe v. Wade have been heavy. I thought Fr. Richard Rohr’s devotion today was particularly helpful. He writes,

"I believe we are made for love, that our natural abiding place is love, and that we in fact are love. Our absolute foundation is communion with God and others. This is the 'deepest me' to which we must return before we act. From this foundation, we know we must act, and we are able to act from a place of positive, loving energy. Unfortunately, when 'triggered' by strong emotions, it is very difficult to come from that deep place of 'yes.'"

I would encourage us all to return to the deep well of God’s abiding love. Not as an escape, but to find our centering and grounding when the world feels off kilter. It is where we find the strength to respond, instead of react, and move forward in the path toward love and justice. Additionally, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a place to process.

I am looking forward to a colorful, energizing celebration of Love this weekend. It seems like a good space to spend some time in.

In peace,

Andria+