Today, I cannot be more grateful for our church and for the beautiful light we shine together in the darkness, and for the brave spaces we provide people to bring and share their fears, doubts, and grief. Our church has perhaps never been more important to our community than it is now.

I pray that you have a church or community that provides such a space for you. If not, please feel free to contact me as I may be able to assist. Take time today to breathe. Find some joy in the simple pleasures of life. Hug a friend or a loved one.

Take heart, knowing that the grief you feel today only means that you are loving this world as you were created to love this world. You are hurting today because you care for those for whom Jesus has called you to care. You are angry and afraid today because you take seriously your purpose to be a good steward of the earth and to love your neighbors as you love yourself. And the only way not to experience the grief we share today, is to live selfish, self-centered, and self-absorbed lives which we know is the antithesis of the way of God.

So, I say to you today, grieve. Grieve long and deeply. Do not run away from it. Do not treat it as if it were a stranger you could send away, or deny that grief, because someone who does not know any better thinks grieving means your faith is weak. Grieve what is lost. Grieve honestly, empathetically, lovingly, and patiently. Grieve until your cup is emptied. For this is the only way back to wholeness.

And then, together, we will rise to continue to shine a light in the darkness. We will continue to stand against White Christian Nationalism and the hate that is so much a part of this world. We will continue fighting to build a nation where there is truly liberty and justice for all people, especially for people who are poor, vulnerable, and marginalized. We will continue to be the disciples of Jesus we have been called to be.