Deeply honored to be on the core team of my beloved Sacred Garden Community Church.
And I am keenly aware of the work needed to truly have our radically inclusive, least dogma organization feel safe for all backgrounds and cultures in our congregation.
My work is incomplete until all beings enjoy belonging, plenty and dignity…
During new member confirmation yesterday I was particularly struck by a woman of color’s candid spin on her profession of faith and agreement with SGC’s core values:
“I’m open to the possibility that that the sacraments of our church are one of many ways to have a direct experience of the divine in this lifetime and these bodies.”
“I agree to come with care and respect, and I am working on trust.”
This brought tears to my eyes.
As one who looks for folks to open and close or offer plant time or wisdom sharing for our Sunday services, I encounter many people who are hesitant to speak in front of the entire community and hear why.
Some simply don’t feel they have something valuable to share. Others are shy about public speaking. While the most touching to me are those who harbor big messages about the need to collectively address shadow and trauma yet don’t feel safe bringing these uncomfortable topics to the whole community.
Yesterday I also had the honor to step outside with a sister who is looking for a new home to hold her as she sobbed in the difficulty of displacement and longing to live in community on land and slow down. Deep long sigh from me again today with continuing prayers for this to become our shared reality.
Building sustainable community in which all members feel and reciprocate care, respect, and trust is big work.
I’m so grateful for mentors, friends and team members doing our bests to work alongside each other in what I daily pray is our collective mission possible for earth: to outgrow power over structures and rekindle our relationship with & participation in the patterns of creation.
To re-member how life thrives and that all benefit when we work together, celebrating life’s need for diversity and co-creating conditions for all beings of earth to enjoy belonging, plenty and dignity.
Thank you Life for the honor and privilege living on this beautiful planet with this burning desire to proactively participate in your flowering.
