Friends, I also want to chime in-thanks to all who joined, and as Lore shared many apologies to the folks who weren’t able to access the room— we didn’t expect such a big turnout or know zoom had attendance caps for the account! If you were there, not able to join, or could not access the meeting, know this: we’re with you, we’re in it together, and we’re holding hope in the presence of anger and grief. Much peace.
Thank you all for being there. I didn't realize there was a cap on the number of participants Zoom would let in above 100 and heard from so many of you that you couldn't get in. I'm so sorry, truly! Here is the liturgy and the poem we shared:
A liturgy for when the news is bad, From Every Moment Holy, volume II, Douglas McKelvey
God, my Rock, fortress, and eternal foundation,
Be present in this first moment of my fear,
For the footings of my life as I’ve known it
Are shaken. Unwelcome news has tilted
The world suddenly, robbing me of balance
And bearing, casting all plans for pleasant
Futures in a wavering light
O God Who Fights for Me,
Be present in this first confusion.
Be present in this first uncertain distress.
Be present in my passage through denial,
Anger, frustration, and fear.
Shepherd me through every anxiety as I—
And all who love me—seek to absorb this blow.
Be near in ways that I can sense and know.
Convince me of your care. Be my everlasting
Rock, my unassailable fortress, my fierce
Defender. Steady the spinning of my world.
Amen.
The Peace of the Wild things, Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
I cannot express how important this zoom call was for me this evening. I feel less alone and strengthened in my relationship to Christ and others - which felt truly impossible earlier today. Thank you Jesus, and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, for your vulnerability and tenderness. I have much more peace as I finish putting my kids to bed. We are not alone.
I'm from Romania, Europe, so I can't say I share completely in your feelings as USA citizens. But I do share in what you feel about the need for hope in uncertainty or times of trouble.
At the time of your zoom meeting I'll probably be asleep, but know that I am saying a prayer now, for all of you who are trying to believe inspite all odds.🙏🏻
Faith's eyes are like the eyes of God - they see beyond evidence. 👀
Thank you so much for Nowen's quote, Lore.♥️ I saved it.
I leave you with these words:
"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!" 1 Chorinthians 13:12 (The Message Bible)
Friends, I also want to chime in-thanks to all who joined, and as Lore shared many apologies to the folks who weren’t able to access the room— we didn’t expect such a big turnout or know zoom had attendance caps for the account! If you were there, not able to join, or could not access the meeting, know this: we’re with you, we’re in it together, and we’re holding hope in the presence of anger and grief. Much peace.
Thank you all for being there. I didn't realize there was a cap on the number of participants Zoom would let in above 100 and heard from so many of you that you couldn't get in. I'm so sorry, truly! Here is the liturgy and the poem we shared:
A liturgy for when the news is bad, From Every Moment Holy, volume II, Douglas McKelvey
God, my Rock, fortress, and eternal foundation,
Be present in this first moment of my fear,
For the footings of my life as I’ve known it
Are shaken. Unwelcome news has tilted
The world suddenly, robbing me of balance
And bearing, casting all plans for pleasant
Futures in a wavering light
O God Who Fights for Me,
Be present in this first confusion.
Be present in this first uncertain distress.
Be present in my passage through denial,
Anger, frustration, and fear.
Shepherd me through every anxiety as I—
And all who love me—seek to absorb this blow.
Be near in ways that I can sense and know.
Convince me of your care. Be my everlasting
Rock, my unassailable fortress, my fierce
Defender. Steady the spinning of my world.
Amen.
The Peace of the Wild things, Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
I cannot express how important this zoom call was for me this evening. I feel less alone and strengthened in my relationship to Christ and others - which felt truly impossible earlier today. Thank you Jesus, and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, for your vulnerability and tenderness. I have much more peace as I finish putting my kids to bed. We are not alone.
I am so glad you could be there. We are not alone.
Thank you. <3
Tried to join, but said it was at capacity—which I'm thrilled about for you both, and sad for me.
I am so sorry, Brian. There were a lot more people than I thought would be there!
No worries at all. I’m so glad (and sad?) it was so well attended!
Will this meeting be recorded and available later??? 💚
It wasn't, I'm sorry. I usually just try to protect the space and the vulnerable stories and emotions that were shared. I'm sorry =(
A magnificent offering. I can’t make it, but am there in spirit and shared tears.
That Nouwen quote 💔
I'm from Romania, Europe, so I can't say I share completely in your feelings as USA citizens. But I do share in what you feel about the need for hope in uncertainty or times of trouble.
At the time of your zoom meeting I'll probably be asleep, but know that I am saying a prayer now, for all of you who are trying to believe inspite all odds.🙏🏻
Faith's eyes are like the eyes of God - they see beyond evidence. 👀
Thank you so much for Nowen's quote, Lore.♥️ I saved it.
I leave you with these words:
"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!" 1 Chorinthians 13:12 (The Message Bible)
God bless you all, friends!🤗
Thank you Ioana! That exact verse was on my mind in the shower this morning!