Dear friends,
I didn’t come from a church tradition that follows the liturgical calendar. This was introduced to me during seminary. This was also when I began to be more intentional about Lenten practices and observations, and I was going to take it more seriously and be more mindful. One year, I decided to learn skateboarding on a penny board. Another year, I water colored. Then there was a year when I wrote a letter to someone whose work had impacted my life and mailed it to them. This year? I’ve taken to reflecting on the holy moments that crept up on me.
One such moment was fairly recent. And I want to take the opportunity to thank Katie Warren for leading the celebration of our 29th year as a Reconciling congregation. Her creativity in allowing space within worship for the telling of stories was a powerful moment experienced. While standing before the congregation, I was incredibly heartened to hear and see the sounds of laughter and fellowship. I had so many people sharing how they loved it. Holy moments are when our lives are known to another – when strangers become friends.
Another holy moment was realizing how people in this congregation changed me. Some of you might have heard that a couple of months ago, I defended my dissertation proposal and am now in my All-But-Dissertation (ABD) phase. Here’s something only a handful are aware of. I started my Ph.D. with an entirely different dissertation project. Being present at the last moments of a parishioner’s life made me think more deeply about breathing. The holy moments? It was eating boiled snails and noodles with the parishioner and their spouse. It was part of an interfaith prayer meeting at their home. It was witnessing a church member sneak in a home-baked cookie because they knew how their friend loved cookies. Holy moments are when we show love for each other – even until our last breath.
Two weeks ago, a young person came to church looking to talk to a pastor. Branden, our building manager, directed them to me. The young person asked me what gospel we believe. I told him a short and condensed TED Talk version of how I saw gospel as a continuation of good news in our lives and lived experiences. He responded, saying, “My life is good news? Wow! That’s something new, alright.” He then talked about how he’s been moving from one city to another. I listened. Then he shared about how he and his father had built homes together. Now he is unhoused, and he misses his father. They’ve been estranged. Towards the end of our time, the young person asked me to pray for him. Instead, I did a UNO reverse on him. I asked him to pray aloud for himself. We held hands as he prayed. Holy moments are when people realize they can talk to the Holy, and their stories matter.
Holy moments happen. Whether you’re alone or with someone. Sometimes they creep up on you. Sometimes they help to reorient your perspective on the world. Sometimes they remind you to sit with compassion – for yourself, and others.
Allow these moments to happen. And keep telling the story!
Much heart,
Lynnette
Enjoy “Something Heavy” by Jacob Collier, performed with the world’s first Audience Symphony Orchestra, a one-time gathering of fans from all over North America.
This week’s takeaway: Allow holy moments to happen.