October Pastoral Letter

Dear Friends,

Recently, Laura Bentley’s infant son Oscar took his first step.  Or so she thought.  But when she tried to capture it on video, he just bounced up and down or sat down and crawled and smiled and laughed.  First steps are hard.

I remember how hard it was for my son Christian to take his first step into his preschool classroom.  Just as hard as it was for me to step outside the door, listening to him cry for his mommy.  First steps are hard.  

I remember when Brian and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a trip to the Smoky Mountains to go zip-lining.  Although all safety precautions were in place and I love a great adventure, still, I stood on the top of the tree staring down at the ground for a long time, waiting for the courage to step out into the air.  First steps are hard.   

In this unprecedented time in which we live, we have been faced with many challenges, not knowing what steps to take. 

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, what steps do we take to ensure the safety of our family?  Do we send our kids to school?  Do we go out to eat?  Do we fly to visit family?  Do we go back to worship in the Sanctuary?  Our country has struggled to control the number of infections and deaths from COVID-19; it seems we take one step forward, but then two steps back.

In the midst of racial injustice, what steps do we take as people of faith?  Do we go to protests?  Do we support law enforcement reforms?  Do we speak up or stay silent?  Do we stand with our black brothers and sisters and say that they matter to us and to God? 

I have been doing a lot of discussing and thinking about the sin of racism and racial inequality that benefits some of us and punishes others simply based on the color of skin.  I have been reading Scripture and praying about what God is calling our church to do to, in the words of the prophet Micah, “to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”  What steps do we take? 

We are taking a first step of getting to know the issue of racism and white privilege.  The members of our Session are reading and discussing the book Waking up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving.  We will be studying what it means to be white in this country in order to better understand the privileges we take for granted.  I invite you to read the book along with us.

We are taking a first step of nurturing relationships with black people.  We have been exploring a partnership with Triumph Church (off Mt. Nebo Road).  Pastor Craig Giles and I will be hosting a panel discussion with members of his church and our church on Thurs. Oct. 22 at 6:30 PM on Zoom.  We will be sharing in mission projects, most immediately helping to distribute food to people in need in the Triumph Church parking lot.  We hope to get to know one another as sisters and brothers in faith, and see where God will lead us.        

First steps are hard.  But they are worth taking.

Martin Luther King, Jr. knew this well, as he led people in marches and in taking first steps toward establishing civil rights for all of God’s children.  He reminds us of this truth:

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Faith, like a first step, is easier when done together, in community.

So, friends, let us step out in faith together, doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God…one hard, but holy step at a time. 

 Grateful to be journeying in faith with you,

Pastor Donna