As a clergy person, the ministry of presence is BIG. From showing up to church events and community gatherings to showing up in our offices and being there for people, our calling is to show up. We cannot hide behind our keyboards, our books and our coffees under the guise of thoughts and prayers. (Mind you, I believe in those with my whole heart.) There is value is showing up physically and offering your thoughts and prayers in the moment; the cold days of a protest in January, through the salty tears of a hosptial room, through the quiet of an office while sitting across from someone, through the vulnerability of sharing a photo with a powerful social media post.
Earlier this week, I participated in a vigil here in my community for the current climate in our country. People have lost their lives. People are living in fear. The constant threat of white christian nationalism is at the forefront of my heart. Many times throughout an average week, I have to say these words, “I’m not one of those Christians.” In my understanding, white christian nationalism is a mix of politics and religion, preaching that the United States is a Christian nation. In the name of Jesus Christ, x, y, and z, are supposed to happen. X, Y, and Z, from my experience, is racism, greed, and attacks on the very values that I preach every Sunday in the pulpit.
The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is far from those ideas of racism, hate and greed. In fact, if you know Scripture at all, you know Jesus fought against them.
During the vigil, I had the opportunity to speak a few moments. I prayed for a couple of days about what to say, and was moved by a message that a colleague shared that I quoted during my words. (My words will be posted below.) After the event, I posted my prepared comments on my social media along with a photo. The photo wasn’t the best, but I was wearing a stole, and prepared for the cold of the evening.
During the Vigil I heard some pain, hurt, and fear from my neighbors; the people that I live with here in our new community. I heard anger and unfortunately a growing hate for the other side. My heart became very heavy. I posted my social media post that evening, and for me, it went viral. (I’ve never had a post garner this much attention.) The metrics below were taken this morning.
I believe this post took off because people need Christians like me to show up. Be present. Be vulnerable. Be the hands and feet of Christ.
I’m not perfect at all. I was nervous at the vigil. 500+ people gathered. I was cold. I work hard every day to be the Christian that I preach about on Sunday mornings. I stumble over my words a lot.
I will always land on the side of love – love of God and love of neighbor. The other part of that greatest commandment also says, as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:34-40) Pastors, siblings in faith, I ask you to listen to your heart. How can you physically offer your thoughts and prayers right now (or when the next crisis happens?) This experience has stirred something in me that is going to stick with me for a long time. That ministry of presence is not just reserved for the clergy. Christians who follow Jesus Christ, how are you showing up for the Gospel? Pray and listen for what is within your abilities to do. Be safe when you do. Be smart.
Here are the words I shared in my social media post:
Comments that I wanted to share tonight at our community vigil and the cold got the better of me:
I am Rev. Cathy Christman, a United Methodist pastor here in our community. My pronouns are she/her. I am new to Stevens Point, moved here this past summer, much warmer days. I have been involved in social justice as a Christian clergy person for nearly 20 years across three states. I learned early on in ministry that if people are hungry, cold, hurting, they will not want to hear about the bread of life or the living waters of faith until those basic needs are met.
One of those basic needs is safety.
My colleague Rev. Dr. Kerri Parker gave these short words at a vigil yesterday. “’Are you ok?’(those last words of Alex) is a holy question.”
This is more than just the “Midwest nice” kind of question. Are you ok is a statement more than just the “how are you?” This is acknowledgement that something is wrong and that we are not ok. We are not ok – living in fear, living in anxiousness, living in worry. We are not ok, wondering if our communities are being torn apart.
Whatever branch of faith you have in your life, I implore you to ask the question and be ready to respond to whatever answer you get. This is our work in beloved community. A lot of our work in the church is in direct response to grace in our lives. From worship to missions to advocacy, we are responding to God at work in us and through us. When we ask the question, are you ok, we must respond in ways that make a difference. If a sibling is not ok because they are cold – we are going to give them a coat – a hand warmer – a warm hug. If a sibling is not ok because they are hungry, we will shower them with food. If a sibling is not ok because they are afraid, we work with our hands and our feet to bring peace.
Peace is a funny word – peace is not the absence of fear, anger or anxiousness. Peace is the assurance that we are safe. Peace is the assurance that the work is for the good of the community. Peace is the promise a better tomorrow – as a result of our response to that holy question. Are you ok? Peace is freedom – to ask the question and answer it truthfully.
Thank you for this holy time of peace. The question has been asked, and we are not ok. We don’t feel at peace. We are grieving the loss of another life – one that thought he was safe. We are grieving the loss of freedoms that we have held onto as truth in our lives in this country. We are not ok. Yet, peace is possible because we are answering the question with our feet, with our votes, with our presence; holding onto hope for a better tomorrow; where all are safe. May it be so. Amen.
Facing the Storm with Faith 