The Rev. Anne Hartley’s letter to our congregation

     In January of 2017, my daughter and I joined over 400,000 people in Washington DC for the Women's March. It was a diverse, joyous, empowering event, and there were similar gatherings all over the nation. Most of the posters sent messages of loyalty and love.

     The sign I carried read “Why I March: COMMUNITY.” On the back of my sign, I wrote the names of about a hundred friends and family members from all across the country who wanted to come to Washington DC but couldn't.  There was my old friend, Thomas Armstrong, the Freedom Rider, and new friends with whom I had worked to get public-school-friendly candidates elected to the school board the year before. Other signs read “Unite with Love. Resist with Love,” “Empathy,” “Climate change is the biggest threat to my generation,” and my personal favorite sign held by a young girl: Future President.  The day was filled with hope and music and unity in diversity.

     I'm recalling this experience to remember that as a disciple of Christ, we are called to live in unity and love. I've been reading Psalm 133, an ancient prayer spoken and sung by Christians and Jews, “How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity.” Another beautiful Hebrew prayer appears in this week's gospel (Mark 12:28-34) in which Jesus prays an ancient prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-9: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  This is a beautiful chant.

                      Shema yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai echad.

          We are called to be one with God and the whole human race.

     It feels like there is always something to be afraid of – hurricanes, climate change, elections, crime, and disease. Even the disciples felt afraid of what the future would hold, a future without their teacher there to guide and protect them. Remember that God sent the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us. Let's pray for peace and for unity.

God Bless & Keep You,

Anne+