Epiphanous Greetings,
Yesterday was the Feast of the Epiphany, a Christian holiday focused on both the celebration of the three magi coming to worship the baby Jesus and the baptism of the adult Jesus. Each of these were unexpected events, unveilings of a truth underlying appearance. The helpless baby, who appeared to be a newborn infant of peasant parents, was revealed as the Holy One. The itinerant adult, who appeared to be a rabble-rousing rabbi from Galilee, was revealed as God’s Beloved.
Yesterday ‘twas also a crisis of democracy in our country. Another epiphany. And so, we must ask ourselves: what truths were unveiled? Will we choose to see them? And how will we allow ourselves to be transformed by this unveiling?
I certainly haven’t formulated all my answers to these questions, and I don’t expect anyone else has either. All I can say, with my college friend, Valerie, is that I’m determined to move forward with defiant hope. I will not follow a star unless it leads toward peace, justice, and joy. I will not cower before actions that don’t bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice.
As we find our way forward, I’m pretty sure many of us could use some comfort and support. Thus, I encourage you to join me for this evening’s Prayer Vigil, led by the Central Atlantic Conference of the UCC, from 5-6 pm. It will include prayers for: our country, healing, unity, justice, and divine direction. Just click on this Zoom link.
Caly and Elizabeth will also resume leading Vespers tomorrow from 7:30-8 pm, every Friday through the Season of Epiphany. This is a service of song and prayer centered on the Light, and all are welcome. For the Zoom link, please email Elizabeth at easchiemann@gmail.com.
Finally, if you’re looking for a bit of distraction, you may enjoy listening to this podcast from our former Interim Pastor, Doug Clark. He interviewed me and my colleague, Rev. Amber Neuroth, in November about pastoring in the midst of a pandemic.
With Love,
Pastor Ellen