what hasn’t changed
10 November 2024
Dear friends,
You have been on my mind and in my prayers. The results of the election made this a very difficult week for many of us. This week I felt sad, heavy, and anxious about the future. It felt hard to wake up in the morning and to focus on daily tasks. I wanted to call every single one of you on the phone and write a brilliant pastoral letter to make everything feel better, but I found that my emotional energy ran low and no wise words came.
People process and cope in many different ways. Some of us felt angry this week, finding ourselves more reactive or less patient than usual. Others were numb, checked out, or resigned. Some resolved to take action and determine next steps, while others focused on careful processing, rest, and community care.
Be gentle with yourselves and each other. There is no one right way to be. There is no perfect response to the pain of the world. God‘s grace is wide enough to embrace you, exactly where you find yourself in this moment, just as you are.
And take heart. God‘s grace meets you where you are, but it does not leave you there. Grace is powerful enough to summon you out of this moment — calling all of us into the people we will be, into the future of justice and peace that is the kingdom of God. In a tumultuous week, this gift of grace is one thing that has not changed and will not change.
Our calling as people baptized into Christ is the same as it was a week ago:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Vicar Sharei and I asked ourselves whether we should change our plans for worship this morning in light of the election. We did add some space for lament and community prayer, which we hope will be a balm for weariness. But most of worship we left the same.
We’ll talk about the relationship between faith and money, tell the stories of generous widows in scripture, and hear a story from Brian Klassen about his family’s engagement in the housing market in light of their faith. We’ll welcome children, and sing songs, and share signs of peace. We’ll receive communion and bless one another, and stick around for coffee.
Just like everything else this week, it won’t be perfect, and it won’t make everything feel better. But it will be enough for today. And it’ll be even better if you’re there. I hope to see you.
With care,
Pastor Erin