September ’22 Enews – Darkness & Glitter

“Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.” – Exodus 20:21

I’ve been reflecting on this verse for many months now ever since I listened to Jemonde Taylor’s Theological Reflection at the Philadelphia Gathering. I find such profound comfort in the image of Moses getting wrapped in what I imagine to be a thick, dark, soft blanket of God’s love. It is a reminder to me that through all the turmoil of the past few years, God has been here with us, embracing us, and keeping us strong.

Recently I was introduced to the words of Mahmoud Darwish, a Palestinian poet, who says, “We flash victory signs in the darkness so that the darkness can glitter.” When I put this together with the verse from Exodus a smile breaks across my face as I picture the celebration that is in front of us as we discern the role of our beloved Episcopal church in the modern world.

I’m still catching my breath from hosting GOL’s first Bivocational Multi-Vocational Pilot Gathering a few days ago, and the glitter was flying! This was one of the most profound, hope-filled, and innovative Gatherings that I have had the honor of coordinating and next month’s e-News will be filled with photos, learnings, and vision shared by these faithful leaders.

GOL could not have made this happen alone. Planning and recruitment for this Gathering was in collaboration with the Iona Collaborative, Bishop Kemper School of Ministry, and the Episcopal Church Foundation. I am also deeply grateful for our grant from Trinity Wall Street as well as significant donations from the Dioceses of Wyoming and Oklahoma and the Bishop Quin Foundation in the Diocese of Texas. I invite you all to keep reading our e-News for details on the next offerings to support the growing and necessary world of multi-vocational clergy.

In this edition of the e-News you will see information about our pilot Lay Leader Gathering taking place in just two short weeks as well as our regularly scheduled Gathering at Oregon later in October. We are also announcing the launch date for our new online Community Portal where we have built a private social media network just for the participants in Gathering of Leaders. Please note that our current private Facebook Group will be archived on November 1st.

Grab your dark, soft blanket of God’s love, wrap yourself up tight, and watch for the sparks and glitter that are before us!

Read the rest of the Enews here.