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President’s Letter



Accepting the Invitation

 

Have you ever felt like Jeremiah? (And I am not referring to the bullfrog in the Three Dog Night song from the 70’s?!) Anyway, I think about Jeremiah most of the time -- the prophet, not the frog! Let me explain.

 

In the first chapter of Jeremiah, he responds to God’s call saying, “I don’t know how to speak because I am only a child” (Jeremiah 1:6). Jeremiah is focused on himself and his own shortcomings. It is like looking into a mirror for me. Maybe you can relate.

 

I have spent the last twenty years committed to United Methodist Women, now United Women in Faith. I have studied, learned and my faith has deepened as I never imagined. In May, I was consecrated as a Deaconess committing my life to Love, Justice and Service. Like most of us, Love and Service feels second nature, but Justice -- that is a frog of a different color!

 

Currently, United Women in Faith is focusing on Racial and Climate Justice. My experience is that I know what I believe yet, when placed in a room that invariably contains very polarized views, my response is silence. Why? In a word-Fear. Fear of not getting it right. Fear of judgement. Fear of upsetting the peace.

 

Silence cries of white privilege and defies all that Jesus is calling me to do. I am to follow Jesus to the margins, to speak up in the places that do not feel like love. Does this seem familiar and does it bring up feelings of discomfort or even anger? I invite you to take time and explore the emotions that arise within you.

 

In the Jeramiah text, God says nothing about Jeramiah’s gifts or lack thereof. God simply says, “Go. I will give you the words.” and “I am with you” (verses 7 & 8). If we focus on the skills we are lacking and our own fear, we will miss the invitation to journey with God in creating God’s kin-dom here on earth.

 

Joan Chittister asks of us in her book The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage, “Shall we do something to reshape the heart and the soul of the worlds we inhabit? Or shall we do nothing and claim that we were powerless in the world?”

 

As for me, I have committed my life to Love, Justice and Service. Join me in this journey God is inviting us to travel because we know that Love in Action can change the world.

 

Much Peace,

Cindy Saufferer

President, MN Conference UWFaith

 



Reading Program Spotlight 

Anxious To Talk About It:

Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully About Racism by Carolyn B. Helsel

 

Talking about race can make us anxious. Professor and pastor Carolyn Helsel draws on her experiences with white congregations to offer tools and practices to explore the anxious feelings that can come up when talking about racism. Learn how to join the hard conversations and move forward with less fear, more compassion and more knowledge of self, others and the important issues at stake.

Click here to read more about the Reading Program.

 

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