Better Together
“…let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…”
Hebrews 10: 24-25
Easter Lutheran Church is better because you are a part of it. Coming this Lent, we will take time together to examine the values and actions that have served Easter and the community since 1974. We will also ask: who are we now, what is God up to, and what can we create together?
The words “better together” can imply a simple truth and a blissful reality; a better place where everyone gets along, encouraged by, and grounded in similar values and virtues. Honestly, we sometimes romanticize a squeaky-clean version of living in peaceful Christian community.
The notion in Hebrews 10 that we are called to provoke one another toward love is an interesting one. What does this mean? Could it be that provocation is occasionally required to move us beyond our comfort zone into true community – into something that isn’t necessarily what we planned but is profoundly better than we could ever imagine on our own.
When we are open to allowing others to enter our space; to challenge our perspectives and processes, then we begin to know real, honest-to-goodness peace. True community doesn’t look like what I envision. It doesn’t look quite like what you imagine either. It’s something totally different. And maybe that’s what God intended all along. Something brand new and better than any of us ever imagined on our own – a holy, grace-filled space that is Better Together.
As we approach Lent, I invite you to begin to consider: How are we Better Together? What can we create together?
On Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., join in discussion to consider what happens when we gather everyone’s stories at the table. John Noltner set out on a cross-country road trip to ask people what peace means to them and rediscover the common humanity that unites us. Through photographs and real-life stories, Portraits of Peace offers an accessible approach to conversations about social issues that challenge us today and helps us work toward a more peaceful future. You can join the discussion on zoom.
You can purchase a copy of Portraits of Peace at a discount from Easter: Learn more
Additional ways to lean into life together and explore community:
Peg Carlson-Hoffman is co-director of Holden Village with her husband, Chuck Hoffman. Holden is a faith-based community with Lutheran roots nestled in the mountains of Washington state. Peg and Chuck create community art workshops with people who have historically experienced conflict as a way to build relationships. Listen to Peg’s reflection on community and what peace means to her here: https://apomm.net/2017/08/23/peg-carlson-hoffman/
Take time to visit Fireside Commons at Easter on the Hill this month. You’ll find some of John Noltner’s photos on display there throughout the month of February. Slow down. Reflect on the portraits of folks who were brave enough to share a glimpse of themselves. Sit with them. Hear their voice. Listen to their story. Imagine all the stories that are waiting to be shared.
Make a commitment to approach the people in your life with care and curiosity. Put your ego aside. Be honest. Ask yourself who interests you, who challenges you, who you think you share things in common with and who you assume is different than you. Be willing to consider who you’d rather avoid and why.
Set aside time to reflect. What does peace mean to you? What is God up to? How is the Spirit whispering to your soul? What do you imagine we might be able to create together in this time and place?
Join us on Wednesday evenings in Lent. We’ll dig deeper and dream bigger to imagine what we can create together. We want you to be a part of the conversation. You have a voice. You have a story. And you matter to God and Easter Lutheran Church.
Prayer for More than Tolerance by Meta Herrick Carlson
This minimal coexistence is physically exhausting
because it is unnatural
to barely put up with one another,
to withhold care and curiosity,
to feign an unrelated distance when someone is hurting.
It requires a terrible kind of energy
to merely deal with someone,
to restrain your true self in their presence,
to manifest another narrative
about who they are that validates separation.
We are not built for mere tolerance
skepticism
fear
hate
disgust
indifference.
We are built for proximity in body and spirit,
to delight in God’s manifold image,
decorating each person with love that is natural
to honor, affirm, and celebrate.