Lemonade

Most of us can finish the statement “When life gives you lemons…make lemonade.” Given that it is Fall, it would make more sense to be speaking about pumpkin and apple drinks. However, I cannot stop thinking that we need to think about lemonade. No one imagined that in September 2021, we would still be stymied by COVID-19 and the new variants. I imagined that we would have had an in-person Commission Meeting, and I would be on my sixth visit to meet our various presbyteries. I reflected last week that after six months of service, I have only twice met two of our staff members in person. These are unusual times. These are not only lemonade times, but this is also the time to dig deep yet again to find our resolve from the well that never runs dry.

Howard Thurman, one of my favorite theologians, said:

“There must be always remaining in everyone’s life some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathlessly beautiful, and by an inherent prerogative, throws all the rest of life into a new and creative relatedness, something that gathers up in itself all the freshets of experience from drab and commonplace areas of living and glows in one bright white light of penetrating beauty and meaning - then passes. The commonplace is shot through with new glory; old burdens become lighter, deep and ancient wounds lose much of their old, old hurting. A crown is placed over our heads that for the rest of our lives we are trying to grow tall enough to wear. Despite all the crassness of life, despite all the hardness of life, despite all the harsh discords of life, life is saved by the singing of angels.”

What is your go-to song? Last week when worshiping at First United Presbyterian, Troy, New York, the hymns of faith strengthened me. The organist played as if the sanctuary was full. Masked, we sung “God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy pow’r. Crown Thine ancient church’s story, bring its bud to glorious flow’r. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.” We sang with heart and soul. It was evident that we all were there because we needed something. I left the sanctuary able to pivot emotionally.

Amid this season of unknowns and restlessness, there is much to sing about. Our ancestors named similar seasons as thin years and uncertain times. They found resolve utilizing self-talk and encouraging one another with simple affirmations “trouble don’t last always, and this too shall pass.”

I’m praying for you. Life is not beyond redeeming. God is at work among us around the Synod. This newsletter and the few God-sightings listed below is evidence that we are thriving amid this liminal season:

· Congregations are being equipped to try new things through online ministry, see the article about John Fong: Synod-of-the-Northeast-Seminars-Encourage-Online-Church-Relationships.

· Rev. Jocelyn (J.C.) Cadwallader and First Presbyterian Church, New Haven, Connecticut, open their doors to Afghan refugees.

· Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Massachusetts, a congregation victimized by arson, installed Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry-Avery as pastor.

· In October, the Synod plans two events that will set the stage for large-scale dialogues around the Doctrine of Discovery, beginning with viewing the film Conscious Point and a panel discussion on Native American relationships.

· This Fall will include a series of upcoming webinars and training opportunities for COMs, CPMs, and resourcing presbyteries and congregations.

Visit the Synod’s website often for dates and times of upcoming events. Additionally, we look forward to sharing more stories from around the Synod of the ways you are continuing to sing in this season. May you find hope in these words from Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that God who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

God’s grace is enough for us!

Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley

SanDawna Gaulman Ashley