Read the full issue of this week’s Liberal here.

In this week’s issue, Rev. Jen Crow writes:

One of my favorite theologians, James Cone, says that we come to church each week to “find out where we are in relation to the actualization of our dream.” In short, we come to church to measure the distance between the world that we long for and the world that is. We come to find the connection and hope and sustenance we need to survive and to do our part to build that world we dream about.

We know that the distance between the world that we long for and the world that is is great these days. It can feel overwhelming at times. So what can we do? We can ground our hearts and our lives in a love that leaves no one outside the circle. We can lean in to this community when times are good and when times are hard. We can center ourselves in the knowledge that love is the work of a lifetime, not just a moment. We can keep coming to church to find out where we are in relation to the actualization of our dream, and together we can find the hope we need to keep on loving with hearts wide open.

When newcomers join our church, we tell them that the spiritual life is an active life and we make three suggestions about how they might cultivate a deep and transformative experience in this faith community. We suggest that they:

• find and nurture a personal spiritual practice,
• find a community within this community,
• and act for justice in the world.

The truth is that these suggestions can work for all of us, each in our own way. They can help us to find the love and hope and sustenance we need. I hope you’ll join us in church this Sunday as we remember our connections and set our intentions. Come bring a bit of water from somewhere sacred to you. Come and remember who you are and who we can be.

See you in church,

Jen