Dear Westwood Family,
Sunday before last in The Sanctuary Pastor Molly talked about the demonstrations against ICE. She began singing one of the Minneapolis songs that even choirs in Wales are singing in support of those in need of justice, hope, community in U.S. America.
“Hold on. Hold on. My dear one, here comes the dawn.”
Just the day before, Alex Pretti, a nurse and caregiver, had been gunned down. My heart and the hearts around me were heavy, and, through tears, I began singing along with Molly in the service. I’ve continued to sing it daily since. Click here to watch or listen on YouTube.
What does it mean to hear someone say to you, “Hold on”?
“Hold on! You have no right to do this to others.”
“Hold on to your grievances and let your anger be known.”
“Hold on; don’t give up. You’re not alone.”
Last Sunday in the sanctuary and in the Loft, I was introduced as the new “Minister of Visitation.” This role can mean so many things; my mind explodes! It might mean that should you feel like it’s hard to hold on to hope or to know that God is with you, hold on. Reach out to our staff to hear a word of encouragement from our Beloved Community to hold on to. You are not alone. Perhaps you need a hospital visit or a home visit or a visit on the phone. Perhaps you need a prayer. Or to hear scripture. Or just to talk things through.
I’m thrilled that our Church Council chair, Ellen Agee, is already moving our council towards promoting a care ministry! In addition, my hope is to form a gathering of three folks from the sanctuary and three from the Loft to give me guidance on what YOU see as the pastoral care needs of the church. Please don’t hesitate to suit up and sign up for this meeting of hearts and minds! This task force needs your ideas and will probably be a one-time gathering just to get us started on how to further build our systems for care at Westwood. Please let me know you are interesting in helping me by sending an email to diana@westwoodumc.org.
Another plan I’d love to implement is that throughout this year, I’d like to visit the small groups in our church that have already formed an identity and talk about what has worked and what needs doing.
But it’s not just me doing this. I’m hoping to help equip us all to promote care-giving. Because in a Beloved Community, it’s all of us who are needed, to create, listen, share, encourage, visit – whatever sounds right for you and feels like a nudge from God. I’m listening!
Breath peace,
Pastor Diana
