Dear Friends,
Rob, Jennifer and I met on Tuesday morning to talk and plan for the upcoming months. We asked ourselves, “What is God doing in the world? How is our faith speaking to us? What is the message that we hope to bring at a time like this?” It was a rich dialogue, and we are excited about the fall and early winter. As we start a new school year, I share with you our firm commitment to begin in-person worship at THCC on Sunday September 20th. We have a bit more work to do on the details, but you will hear more about it next week!
As I have pondered ‘what message do we need to hear’, I am conscious of the wearying effects of Covid-19, of deep political divisions, and heightened uncertainty and anxiety. To be sure, we are in unsettled times. Yet for me personally, the pandemic is mostly an inconvenience; and the ‘us versus them’ political circus has helped me to crystallize my convictions on important issues. I am not in the midst of an existential crisis, and my faith remains strong.
I have been reading a book called “The Coddling of the American Mind”. It is a provocative and challenging read. The authors argue that Americans have been taught in recent years to see themselves as fragile, as victims of circumstance, as needing protection from every danger. They also argue that the fragility mindset is a self-fulfilling loop. It makes us more anxious, and weaker. I am wondering if that is true.
On a pastoral note, I want to acknowledge all of those who have suffered in very real ways over the past 6 months – the loss of loved ones, the loss of jobs, explosive civil unrest, and real distress about the future of our country. We stand with you on this journey.
At the same time, I want to declare to our beloved church community, “We are not fragile. We are strong. The pandemic is not the defining characteristic of our lives. Tragedy does not determine our mindset. Rather, our love for God and our willingness to put love into action is the steadfast and unchanging backbone of our identity.”
By grace,
Carter