n this TOGETHER…
When Pastor Nancy was here a few weeks ago, she reminded of the verse in Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” They were dressed as one, holding palm branches and praising God together… Only God can do this. And God is – at Orchard!
Friends, we are in a season of welcoming some new families to the church who know very little English. It is not easy. And if it is hard for you, it’s ok! This Sunday, I was trying to coax a 6 year old girl to go downstairs for Sunday School. She would not go. Honestly, she looked both stubborn and afraid.
Through the anti-racist discipleship training offered by the ECC, I have been learning about how trauma rewires the brain. It can cause us to behave differently than we might if we were not traumatized. I share the following video with you because I have found it incredibly helpful. Dr. Sheila Wise Rowe is a minister and author who lives in Boston. She talks specifically in this video about racial trauma, but the truth is, what she says about trauma is helpful for all of us. Here is the video if you wish to watch it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n2kk6ZvCrb_S47NI69R8XW6jcTAc0R0k/view
If love is at the center of Christ’s heart for his church. We must be as informed as we can be about how to love one another well. Part of love is making space for the needs and the capacities in each other. And fairly often, our needs and capacities are affected by the experiences we have had in our lives – good and bad.
Back to my friend who would not go to Sunday School. (She went eventually). There is an ocean of difference for a hurting person between assuming that she would not go because she was being “bad” and understanding that there might be a good reason for her to be afraid to go.
Pastor Nick and I are learning as fast as we can how to love and minister well to and with this special place. Please feel free to share with us things you are learning and experiences you are having as we serve God together.
I pray that all of us are encouraged by the picture of the Kingdom of God from Revelation. The Lord is with us. May we recognize His presence.
In Christ Always,
Pastor Karen
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