Saturday, October 21
Friends and Community,
Both Sunday services feature conversations with Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, a remarkable Palestinian peacemaker whose own heart has broken a thousand times over the past two weeks. The sheikh continues to search for partners in the Holy Land--Israeli, Palestinian, wherever they may be--hoping for signs of reconciliation and justice among the fractured communities he loves. It's been a trying couple of weeks for him, and for the world.
And then, yesterday, we learned that our dear friend Maggie Morrison died, quite unexpectedly; and this news has shattered our many hearts, and shaken our church to its core. Maggie was a dear friend, a devoted and spirited lay leader, an activist for green justice and ecological healing, and so, so, so much more. She was a mother to two beloved daughters, Emily and Eliza, and a partner to Nat. Through all of these things, and the struggles of this past year, she was also--through and through, in every way imaginable--a child of God.
We will take time to hold one another in prayer tomorrow, and to hug one another in love. We will pray with open and broken hearts for Nat, Eliza, Emily and all who grieve. The time for surrounding that family will come, not tomorrow to be sure, but soon; and I know we will gather with them in many ways over these next many months. The family is mourning now, but hoping to plan a celebration of Maggie's amazing life and spirit after the Christmas holiday. In the meantime, we will write notes, and offer love, and recall stories...and extend to them our deepest, deepest care.
Tomorrow, we will also pay special attention to the sheikh, to his faith, and to his own prayers for wholeness and peace. He too is grieving this week. I pray that we might gather not to prioritze any grief over any other--but to see among us a connected community of tender hearts, gentle spirits and broken dreams. We are one, together: a church community grieving a beloved sister, a sheikh from the Holy Land aching for war and violence, children of God from all walks of life seeking to make the world a safer, wiser and kinder one.
I will cherish your presence tomorrow, and your prayers, and the songs we sing together.
A couple of notes:
1. TOMORROW AT 11:15: Between our two services (immediately following the 10 am service in the sanctuary) I will be hosting a simple 30 minute time of conversation and kindness--for any wishing to express grief and concern around Maggie's death. I'll do that in the church parlor--and any are welcome to join me for simple conversation, caring and listening. Let us be present to one another in our grief. Look for me in the parlor at 11:15.
2. RESOURCES: There are resources available for those of you who may be experience a keen sense of despair this weekend, or suicidal thoughts. You can find links to the 988 service and others here. And you're most welcome to reach out for me at anytime (831-706-6819). You are not alone, and you will not be alone.
I hold each and every one of you in my prayers tonight. And I ask you to draw Nat, Eliza and Emily particularly close in your own meditations, kindness and prayer.
