It has been good to be back at the church this month. Some of you may know I was out on medical leave for several weeks, recovering from hip replacement surgery in July. Thank you for the many encouraging and loving thoughts and prayers during that time. Even while away, your presence and care were very much felt.

After two Sundays back, it has been wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to feel the positive energy in our gatherings. Despite the times we are living in, there is a strong sense of people seeking a way forward.

That is not necessarily easy. Beneath the surface, deep fears and anxieties about the direction of our city and country remain. Recently we learned that Jimmy Kimmel has been put on hiatus indefinitely, following the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show. Those late-night comedians have long offered invaluable perspective—especially when the question arises, “Is this really happening?” They’ve helped put the challenges of any given day into context.

With all that is going on, how are we called to be present? Examples of your witness provide inspiration. Today several from our church, including Rev. Alison, are standing at the ICE building. Last Sunday, volunteers joined the Sunday Parkways event downtown. Today, our Shower Project once again opens its doors to welcome houseless neighbors for respite and care.

These actions matter deeply.

Of course, not everyone is called to the streets at this moment—and that is perfectly fine. A high school friend of mine, whom I haven’t seen in forty years, will be visiting from Wisconsin. Her response to the state of the world? She has committed herself to attending concerts and supporting musicians. That is her way of staying connected. There are many paths into relationship with the world around us.

This Sunday, members of our Community for Earth will take part in the Celebrate the Sun event. Others of you are finding ways, large and small, to bring energy and presence into your daily lives.

Overwhelm comes quickly for many of us. It can be hard to know where to begin. Perhaps the question each morning might be: How can I make a difference today? What can I do from where I am?

These times call us to persevere without falling into despair. Being back in this community renews my awareness of how important it is to be connected to something larger than ourselves. Isolation is a real danger right now.

So as we ask what difference we can make each day, may we remember that we do not ask alone. Together we take one step, and then hopefully another. Sustaining this journey requires both strength and companionship.

I am deeply grateful for all of you. Truly, we are in this together.

Sending love, 

Rev. Tom