November 6, 2020

Dear Lake B Family and Friends,
 
Like many of you, I have spent time this week trying to stay grounded in the midst of an unprecedented election season.  I have had two competing thoughts about the elections.  On the one hand I have been moved and impressed by the millions of people who actually exercised their right to vote.   On the other hand, it has been interesting to see, in plain red and blue,  the VERY clear divide in this nation about what is important, about the hopes for the future and about how we get there. 
 
I’m not surprised.  Not really.  If we’ve been paying attention at all, we hopefully can admit that the divide has always been there.   What is troubling is the rhetoric amplifying and in some cases inciting violence.   
 
There is work to be done.  So much work ahead.  
 
What might this mean for us at Lake B?
 
For one, I think it means we don’t shrink back from this time.  Rather, we sharpen and deepen our vision of Christ.  
 
That one thing - seeing Christ ever clearer - is the activity that shapes our call and vocation.  It gives us confidence to call down the principles of heaven to earth.  “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is not aspirational, like a pledge.  It is a vision that is intended to take up all the space in our lives - shaping in us a new identity of the beloved community where all have the promise of the fullness of life. 
 
This work is not for the feeble and it has everything to do with how we move forward post election.  This is actual, real work.  It is Holy Spirit work that shapes every aspect of the life of the disciple. 
 
Years ago, a friend shared a quote from E.E. Cummings that went something like this:  “The beautiful answer is preceded by an even more beautiful question”.   
 
We have had a beautiful question before us for many months now as a congregation:  “Who are we becoming?” 
 
 I cannot think of a better question to be asking ourselves right now as a faith community - called together for this time and place. 
 
Whatever answers emerge, may they look more and more like the kindom on earth - as it already is in heaven -  where justice, peace, shalom and the fullness of life is already made real. 
 
I have been praying three things for us and invite you to join me: 
 
For wisdom to discern well the times we are in and what might God be asking of us;   
For courage and faith to act in the face of uncertainty and doubt; and for creativity as we consider what it looks like to become an embodied expression of God’s love, healing  and justice.
 
To say that it has been a long week would be an understatement!  I hope you have been taking advantage of the prayer resources that are on www.lbpc.org.  I also want to make sure to invite you to an opportunity to process the unfolding results of the election that is being hosted by Coastland Commons and our Lake B Pivot group.  It will be Monday night @ 8:00 PM and is open to our entire presbytery.  Please click on the graphic below for more information. 
 
 
With great appreciation for you, 
 
Pastor Lina 
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