Slideshow image

The New Year is upon us and there is so much going on. From national and international events, to the state legislative season beginning, local events, church groups starting up after a holiday break, and family realities setting in, we are in need of God’s Spirit to lead us in this time.

Many of us are feeling disoriented by the events in our nation’s news. We have seen and heard our national leaders naming allegiances that we may not share. We have observed deadly violence erupting on the streets of cities in our country as a result of the actions of law enforcement. We have sensed tensions escalating among those on the margins of our community and fear contributes to many of the choices that we and our neighbors make every day. It is a time when God’s faithful people rely more heavily on the Spirit to lead.

In WA state, our legislators are beginning deliberations about how to close a budget deficit while also meeting the needs of the residents of the state. Opportunities to learn and advocate and deepen connection with others abound in this season, as you will see later in this newsletter. As a state, we need Spirit’s guidance for this season.

At church, the story is less tense, thank goodness, and less antagonistic, I hope, but no less important of a time for us. We are in a learning period leading up to being able to discern how to move forward with changes to our property. We know we can’t keep doing what we have done. Yet, the way ahead isn’t completely clear yet. I hope you will participate in the learning opportunities listed in the final section of this newsletter so we can listen for the Spirit’s call together.

I’ve also just started a new course on what is called the Community Resiliency Model. It’s a way of building skills that help us when we have a lot coming at us, like we do now, to show up in ways that we are able to take in new information, respond constructively, and design solutions together. One of the skills we’ve learned so far is especially something that might be helpful for our community. I invite you to try it out, if you think it might help you. It’s called “Resourcing” and it involves identifying “resources” that have allowed us to feel joy, love, calm, peace, or support in the past. A “resource” can be a person, place, or thing, a situation, or event, or even a quote. It can be something that really happened or it can be imaginary. They all work. Once a “resource” is identified, calling it to mind during stressful situations can help to bring us back into a place of resiliency and equilibrium. To prepare for the need to use a resource, take a moment to “intensify” the resource for yourself by closing your eyes and remembering or imagining how it smells, feels, tastes, and sounds. Bring nuances of the resource to mind so that they are clear and ready. Then, next time you feel like life is coming too fast, call to mind your “resource” and see if it can help you reconnect with Spirit.