April 18, 2024

I saw God before me for all time.

  Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side. 

I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic;

  I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.

I know you’ll never dump me in Hades;

  I’ll never even smell the stench of death.

You’ve got my feet on the life-path, 

  with your face shining sun-joy all around.

~ Acts 2:26-28 The Message

Sunday, April 14th, I had the great privilege of leading worship at Centenary UCC in Winchester, VA then traveled south to the Shenandoah Association Spring Meeting. After the business meeting, clergy from around the association, as well as lay members of St. Stephens UCC and other association members gathered for Rev. Craig Janney’s installation as St. Stephen’s pastor. It was a beautiful service, which paid homage to a beloved professor as acknowledgment of the foundational impact he had on Rev. Janney’s ministry.

By Tuesday, I was in Charleston, South Carolina for the Antoinette Brown Society’s Women’s Clergy Conference. Looking around, I was emotional seeing the 63 clergy women gathered, including the general minister and president Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson. Central Atlantic Conference has a significant presence here with Rev. Dr, Audrey Price on the planning team and Rev. Amy Sens leading us in song through the opening worship. Other familiar CAC faces are Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss and former CAC pastor Rev. Dr. Courtney Stange.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of days, but my heart is so full. Pastoring is such an exhausting and joyous vocation. Often, under the weight of the work we do, we silo ourselves. We focus more on the to-do list than the collegial connections that fill our cups. This week, I have Acts 2 specifically this verse (courtesy of The Message) on repeat in my head: “I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.”

Being among my sisters and brothers in ministry strengthens and emboldens me. I feel hopeful about the future when we gather as one to celebrate ministry and those who choose it. I feel like the act itself creates a field of tents- pitched in the land of hope- and together we can move mountains.

Clergy or lay, I invite us to draw together as Easter People in a spirit of hope. Live as a people who are united in a Risen Savior and as those who understand that we are at our best when we act as a community of God’s beloved. Grab your tents, friends! We’ve got an encampment to build.