A Note from Dean Nathan LeRud

Like many of you, I'm feeling a lot of different things right now.

This fall, we've been talking a lot about moral leadership and the images of power and service that Jesus offers in the midst of a deeply divided nation. The good news is that our forebears in faith have been through difficult times before and have given us good tools "to make no peace with oppression," but rather to employ our freedom "in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations" (BCP 260).

Now that work begins anew. I pray that we will each be given the strength and courage we need to rise to the challenge of this moment, to contend with our anxiety and fear, and to face the future with steadfastness of purpose and the determination to persevere.

This morning, we gathered with several dozen volunteers who were preparing our weekly Community Meal for our hungry neighbors. As always, Jerry and his team had prepared a beautiful lunch, and many of us were feeling unsettled, anxious, angry, and sad.

We held hands, we held silence, and we recommitted ourselves to the work we know we are called to: greeting each one of our neighbors with kindness and compassion by looking them in the eye, welcoming them with a smile, and responding – as we are able – to their needs. Some days it feels almost impossible, but I believe the work matters, and it will matter even more in the weeks and months to come.

What I have learned over the past fifteen years is that this community is resilient, brave, and savvy in the face of opposition, and we are able to navigate discomfort, disagreement, and ambiguity. We've been through tough times before. We will face them again. The work continues, and our faith in a better future for all God's children sustains us even in our darkest moments.

For now, I'm trying to listen as deeply as I can to the voices around me, whether those voices are triumphant or despondent. I'm listening for the still, small voice of God in the midst of the storm, and learning to sit with everything I'm feeling without the need to judge, evaluate or act immediately on my feelings. I'm trusting that I will be given what I need, moment by moment, to do the work God has given me to do.

And I'm thankful for this community, which sustains my faith in the future for which we work, and vote, and pray.

Faithfully,

Nathan