It's in the Gathering

It's in the gathering that we connect in real and powerful ways.


Like when Jesus was the impetous for over 5,000 to gather, when folk gather around Good News AND to stand up to the bad news it raises the spirit of community and gives hope in hopelessness and brings determination to bear on our despair.


I was gathered with thousands on yesterday, a diversity of persons standing with one another and against oppressive, corrupt, unscrupulous, deceitful, exploitative and bigoted forces that have been present for many years but more prominent in the past few.The signs carried reflected a lot of different concerns and perspectives but we all gathered in one crowd and with one voice raised our solidarity to demand justice for all, equality for all, equitable treatment for all and well-being for all.  It lifted my spirit to be a part of this event, as it has for three years, just as it lifts my heart to be a part of a worshiping assembly that are mindful of how to apply our spirituality to life and social issues in it. 


We live in an age of isolation.  Folk are sometimes only connected online and/or through social media outlets.  We throw words out there, even great thoughts and words, without physically gathering together.  What is lost is looking into the eyes of others who come to share their life experiences, pains and joys.  What is lost is hearing the voices of others share a unity of thought and desire.  What is lost is touching others around us, physically and emotionally, in solidarity with a unified presence.  What is lost is the power of the people, united.  I believe that sharing our words of agreement, empathy, compassion and solidarity is important by whatever means available to us.  I also believe that there is no substitute for gathering with others in unity and solidarity toward the well-being of all.  It is in these gatherings that God's presence, power and love are most wonderfully experienced.


I hope you have community.  I hope you have others with whom you can gather, maybe to be fed with bread and Good News and maybe to then experience the powerful lifting of hearts and minds to stand with the most vulnerable, stand up to power and stand for justice and well-being for all.


Folk are out there waiting for you to join them in fighting the beautiful fight.  To quote the father of Vernon Johns, my favorite Civil Rights icon, "My daddy always said, 'If you see a good fight, get in it.'" 


See ya out there,


Pastor Jamie