Dearly Beloved, Grace and Peace to you. This morning our New England Annul Conference is considering a motion (overwhelmingly passed in a non-binding vote last night) that we “not conform or comply with the provisions of the Discipline which discriminate against LGBTQIA persons.” The Spirit is moving. I invite your prayers.
Deep Blessings, Pastor Steve
Praying with Psalm 42
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
We cry out with those who long for justice, who long to know your mercy and your comfort, who yearn for a place of safety and belonging.
My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?”
We hollow out a space in our hearts for those who are wounded by our words, our actions and inaction.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
We mourn in solidarity and cry out in anger with those who suffer persecution and bigotry. By day the Lord commands steadfast love, and at night God’s song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
We give thanks for your love that prevails, that lives on in the hearts of the faithful, and we repent of our closed and stony hearts.
I say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?”
We acknowledge the gifts of those who are oppressed, the beauty we have cast away from us.
Hope in God; for I shall again praise the Holy One, my help and my God.
You give us the faith do justice; you give us hope in your grace; you give us love that we may love on earth as in heaven. Amen.
__________________ Steve Garnaas-Holmes Unfolding Light www.unfoldinglight.net
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