Gratitude and Grief: Reflections from the EDM
The past seven weeks were the longest and shortest ever. With both gratitude and grief, I’m resuming work alongside the Rev. Sara Nave-Fisher. My gratitude and grief stretch beyond my context as a parent and ministry leader. A dear friend and colleague, the Rev. Dr. Emily Viverette, posted about “gratitude and grief” on July 4th. Emily introduced me to the DOC years ago and is a member at First Christian Church in Greensboro, NC, an Open & Affirming Ministry in our movement.
With thanksgiving for the introduction to the Disciples and her faithful witness through the years, I share Emily’s words:
“Today is a day of gratitude and grief. Gratitude for the freedoms I’ve enjoyed and for those who’ve fought for those freedoms. Grief for the freedom lost for our [siblings]. Gratitude for the high ideals that our democracy has claimed. Grief that those ideals have yet to be realized for so many and that they are actively being fought against by some. Gratitude to live in [a] country where we can criticize and protest our government. Grief that our voices seem to be screaming into the void. It’s a good thing we have more than our voices. We have our hands, our feet, our minds, our spirits and each other. Today, may we re-commit to creating the country that lives up to its ideals.”
AllianceQ members and friends, join Emily and me and re-commit to creating a just and inclusive church and world. I echo Emily because it’s necessary and urgent: we have our voices and we have our hands, our feet, our minds, our spirits and each other.
Melissa
Use your voice. Use your hands and feet. Use your minds and spirits. Use each other.
-Check out this resource from Reconciling Works: writing letters to the editor
-From Disciples Peace Fellowship: peace and justice playlists and rapid response statements
-Follow and get action steps from the Disciples Justice Action Network
-Create a Disciples Public Presence — join this group and engage with public action
-Check out “Queering Reproductive Justice” from The National LGBTQ Task Force
Use one another.
-Connect with the authors of Colors of Hope through three special access book sessions. “This is who we are!” is a virtual series August 9, 16, and 23. Participate live or through recordings. Details and registration here: https://disciplesallianceq.org/special-access/
–Gather with LGBTQ+ Christians and allies in person at the Colors of Hope Retreat at Christmount in Black Mountain, NC, October 24-27. With an emphasis on connection over content, there are opportunities to learn and unlearn and rest. Full details and registration here: https://disciplesallianceq.org/retreat/
–Find more ways to collaborate and connect with all our Disciples Justice Ministries. Sign up for the Disciples Justice Ministries e-newsletter.
More from the EDM
Language matters
AllianceQ grieves the loss of freedoms for our siblings, most recently pregnant people. The binaries of women, daughters, sisters, etc. do not include the expansive group of individuals who may be/become pregnant.
No one is excluded from God’s love
I am grateful for our GMP’s “Statement on the Supreme Court Dobbs Decision,” most especially the Rev. Terri Hord Owen’s words that “our ability to navigate the tension of disagreement can be a powerful witness to the Christ we follow.” I hear echoes of the joint reflection of faith that Rev. Owens and I shared in January 2020 that emphasized “working through disagreement is hard work that must be grounded in the Holy Spirit.” May we ground all our work in the Spirit.
Interim Associate Minister extends service with AllianceQ
Rev. Sara Nave-Fisher will continue her part-time ministry with the Alliance as I transition back into my role and focus on project-specific work. What a joy and gift to benefit from Sara’s time and talents!
I am deeply grateful for the time and talents of Rick Sancken-Marx as well. I invite you to show your gratitude for our interim staff members by making a special gift the to the Alliance. With your support, we can sustain our ministry and expand our impact. We need the time and talents of additional paid staff. We need financial support to grow into this reality. Donate now.