Testimony | Gretchen Burch | First Sunday in Advent

Gretchen Burch offered testimony in worship on Sunday, December 3rd as part of our Advent testimony series.Gretchen spoke with vulnerability and courage about the recent death of our friend Linda Bringman, whose memorial service had just taken place the day before.As part of her testimony, Gretchen shared the following poem:ENDURING BLESSINGWhat I really want to tell youis to just lay this blessingon your forehead,on your heart;let it restin the palm of your hand,because there is hardly anythingthis blessing could say,any word it could offerto fill the hollow.Let this blessingwork its wayinto youwith its linesthat hold nearlyunspeakable lament.Let this blessingsettle into youwith its hopemore ancientthan knowing.Hear how this blessinghas not come alone—how it echoes withthe voices of thosewho accompany you,who attend you in every moment,who continually whisperthis blessing to you.Hear how theydo not ceaseto walk with you,even when the darkis deepest.Hear how theyencompass you always—breathing this blessing to you,bearing this blessing to youstill.—Jan Richardsonfrom The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief