On navigating these days - notes from ONAR leaders
Over the last few weeks, we have seen government moving faster than many of us thought possible. The impact of policy changes is wide-reaching, and, for many, a matter of personhood.
As an Open and Affirming and Reconciling Church committed to making love our aim, we raise particular concern for the impact on LGBTQIA+ people, who were already experiencing a rollback in rights prior to the change in administration. Back in June of 2023, the Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the US after a spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation hitting state houses. Currently, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is tracking 290 anti-LGBTQ+ bills around the country. On Saturday, PBS ran a story summarizing the ways recent executive orders are targeting transgender people.
There is certainly an ongoing need to decry these injustices as well as a need for community care. Both the UCC and the Reconciling Ministries Network (UMC) recently released articles with suggestions for navigating these days, which can be helpful for both those directly vulnerable and their allies.
UCC Minister and Team Leader for Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries, Rachel Ward (they/them) wrote an article entitled, “Thriving Through Together.” They offer three care practices to turn to in this time: embrace your beloved self, befriend elders and ancestors, and rest and release. Of the first practice, Rachel writes:
“Over a decade ago, I abandoned the isolated work of arguing for my humanity. I began to unravel false narratives about my body, mind, and spirit. I continue to work tirelessly and joyously to mirror my humanity thriving through adversity and being honest when I’m terrified. I consider this the first practice of preparing for this moment.”
The Reconciling Ministries Network’s Friday email offered some similar three-fold advice: Find your lane, find your people, and find your faith again and again. The message focused on the first of the three, finding one’s lane amidst an overwhelming amount of information and injustice. But rather than seeing that as a call to stick to what one knows, the author suggests reaching out of one’s comfort zone and going deep when it comes to choosing a lane. “Tend a garden that will feed someone else’s children.”
Depending on who we are and where we are on life’s journey, our ability to engage will surely differ. While some of us are fumbling with our own oxygen masks, others are ready to lend funds, time and voice toward advocacy.
But as Rachel Ward wrote, “love is still the greatest non-violent gift we can offer one another in thriving through and overcoming empire.” As the call to make love our aim becomes all the more urgent, may God grant us the strength to lead with love: for self, for neighbor, and for our common humanity.
Pastor Jen