Friends,

On Sunday, I preached about Jesus using coded language from the Hebrew Bible to send hope to John the Baptist, who was in a Roman dungeon, awaiting execution. Jesus is carrying the torch for John, working for the same mission John gave his life's energy to serve -- God's vision of a world of love and justice. Today, in the midst of so much chaos and relentless spectacle of unconstitutional cruelty nearby, and scenes of hate and violence around the world, we need to look for the people carrying that torch today.

"When you feel like John, in the depths of the dungeon, calling out to God and asking, 'Where are you? Is there somebody else we should be waiting on?' I want to remind you that your despair is in the tradition – John felt it too. And God is a grownup, and God can take it. But when you’re down in that dungeon with John, remember what Jesus said: Go and tell what you hear and see. See the places where the hungry are being fed and the sick are being healed and the stranger is being welcomed. It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming. And let the courage God gives you through those folks drive you to join in with your own acts of courage and kindness."

You can listen to the sermon here.

With love,
Susan+

Tags: Rev Susan, courage

Friends,

On Sunday, Huldah preached about John the Baptist's voice in the wilderness. Drawing on indigenous traditions that see John as a trickster figure, representing radical welcome to all. She called us to claim the transformative power of love that John proclaimed -- God's love without hesitation for all people. You can listen to Huldah's sermon here.

Most Sundays, at the beginning of worship, I remind you that gathering for worship gives us more courage to practice the way of Jesus for the rest of the week. This is the moment for that courage, friends. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and our neighbors are afraid. Immigration raids and deportation are being used to target not criminals but legal residents, undocumented non-criminal taxpaying workers, families, and people who dare to speak out against the current administration. These violations are a challenge to constitutional law, an offense to our national identity, and a spiritual attack on our baptismal promise to honor the dignity of every human being.

Those of us who are not being targeted have a unique power to step in, with God's help, to help be the hands and feet of Christ for our neighbors. As you navigate our city in the coming weeks, please keep your rights as a legal observer in mind, and ask God for the courage to step up when you see injustice. More resources for that courage are below.

With love,
Susan+


Know Your Rights and your Neighbors'

Tags: courage, immigration, neighbors, Rev Susan