By Rev. Racquel Ray, Associate Minister of Congregational Life
Today’s weather report reminds me of an important leadership tenet, “Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid possible hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe wind and waves.” In times of transition or turbulence, it is good practice to steer a steady course. Now is not the time to make radical changes.
Our church was looking forward to the new governance structure and the “Year of Engagement” in 2025. Instead, here we are on the eve of June in the middle of a leadership transition. Some of our governance structures are still incomplete, engagement less than what we dreamed, uncertainty ahead. Now is the time to pause.
Next week, our Governing Board and Ministry Coordinators will spend some retreat time team-building and visioning. We are fortunate to have Sarah Whiting with us to facilitate a workshop on “Thriving in Transition”. Sarah and her family have been regular guests in our congregation for several years. She brings deep expertise as a facilitator, strategist, and coach for organizations working to innovate, build alignment, and live out their mission more fully.
As we honor our history, assess our present, and envision our future, we are reminded to remain in port (keep coming to church), seek safe harbor (continue to pray), alter course (pivot as needed), and secure the vessel (keep routines consistent) to remain prepared for any ‘hazardous conditions’.
I shared with our Deacons this week a helpful blessing written by Jan Richardson.
STAY by Jan Richardson*
I know how your mind
rushes ahead
trying to fathom
what could follow this.
What will you do,
where will you go,
how will you live?
You will want
to outrun the grief.
You will want
to keep turning toward
the horizon,
watching for what was lost
to come back,
to return to you
and never leave again.
For now
hear me when I say
all you need to do
is to still yourself
is to turn toward one another
is to stay.
Wait
and see what comes
to fill
the gaping hole
in your chest.
Wait with your hands open
to receive what could never come
except to what is empty
and hollow.
You cannot know it now,
cannot even imagine
what lies ahead,
but I tell you
the day is coming
when breath will
fill your lungs
as it never has before
and with your own ears
you will hear words
coming to you new
and startling.
You will dream dreams
and you will see the world
ablaze with blessing.
Wait for it.
Still yourself.
Stay.
*This blessing appears in Jan’s book The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief. It appears also in her book Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons.