A picture of Reverend Christine at the pulpit during a service.

My beloveds, I’m writing this on Tuesday morning, the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I think there was another thing that happened on Monday–an inauguration, maybe? I didn’t watch it.  

I know so many of us are feeling all the feelings–grief, fear, foreboding, despair, and more. The last 24 hours have shown us that his plans are exactly what he said they would be–to profit for himself, go after marginalized communities and have his cronies benefit. Disgusting, greedy, and abhorrent don’t seem like strong enough words.  

Also, I know so many of you are struggling–with your emotions, finding hope, with your mental health. I want you to know these things absolutely–you are not alone and we need one another.

I hope you figure out your own strategy. For me, I’m limiting my news to newspapers and blogs and only once or twice a day–I can’t handle much more than that and I find his voice and image sends me into bad spaces. I am intentionally looking for joy as I can–the comfort of my family, something in nature, the amusement of a pet, and I’m focusing on how good it feels to worship together–to sing together, to hug each other, to know that we have solidarity with each other.  

Do what you need to keep going. The words below seemed like good ideas. If you can only do one at a time, then do that. I’m so glad I have you all. 

Instructions on Living in a Broken World
By Lindsay Myer Harley from Still We Rise

lean into community
seek out love
applaud the good you see
keep paying attention
talk to your neighbors
dance to the music and embrace art
look for love and small joys
take breaks and relish in nourishing your body
donate what you can
linger at the dinner table with friends
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