TODAYS Connections Call & some thoughts 👋🙏🌈

Many are dealing with feelings of disappointment among our feelings of anxiety, mourning, and frustration. We are preparing to meet this Holy Week in a whole new way. We may feel stuck in the disorienting silence of Good Friday. We usually only have to wait a couple more days for the relief of resurrection celebration: Easter Lily smells filling the sanctuary, glorious hats, bright ties, little ones stuffed into suits and dresses (often to their dismay), and all those hymns emerging from all our voices together.

We also mourn the evaporation or transition of Earth Day gatherings. It's ok to spend a little time licking wounds from wasted time and lost opportunities. In silent contemplation we can acknowledge that this chaos among humans may give some relief to the air, water, and soils.

What I have experienced from this time which I pray will not dissipate is the taste of actual insecurity. Many of us have been have been suddenly faced with the position of being mentally stymied by the type of insecurity that has been felt by most of our neighbors unacknowledged for decades (food deserts - not knowing if a paycheck will ever come again - no options of child care - the sense you can't show up at the hospital unless you are about to die).

This pandemic is not caused climate change and trying to ask folks about integrating "green" practices to a worship service at a time like this may be insensitive at best. However, the impending fear of climate chaos creating a similar type dystopia has been looming in my heart and suddenly unfolding as some sort of dry-run for my kids generation.

How can we, as church, plan to emerge on the other side of this crisis better than before?

How can we take a broader understanding of "vulnerable" populations and translate words like "accompany" and "inclusion" into authentic action and relationships?

I know we won't manage to solve any of these on a few phone calls, but it's time to get messy and take the tools we learn (from BlessedTomorrow, from ELCA Advocacy, from the news, etc.) and apply them to the place where God has planted us. Looking forward to hearing your voices today and knowing that you are all out there playing your own instruments in this magnificent orchestra.

Peace and inspiration be with you,
Phoebe

Monday, April 6th Connections Call

Noon Eastern -- 11 am Central -- 10 am Mt -- 9 am Pacific
Connect with your computer {link here} \OR just call 888-602-2749
(don't do both or there will be an echo - please MUTE until you are in a quiet space)
CALL FOCUS: Getting Creative with Creation Care

How do we take the limitations of our new reality and continue our work: creatively connecting each other and neighbors to the planet & each other?