YOUR CHOICE: SOLID GROUND IS NEAR YOU

In the heat of American political chaos just now (May 13, 2017), and as leading psychiatric professionals publicly warn of the mental instability of the American president, is there any solid ground where I can place my feet?

Well, yes. Students study, athletes compete, people work in offices and factories, social groups meet and neighborhood life continues.

All of that is reassuring.

Even more reassuring is how civilians worldwide respond to destruction of governmental social programs by organizing their own offsetting corrective efforts. 

An encouraging case in point: even as the president continues to tout a wall to control migrating refugees, Urban Grace Church in Tacoma, WA is considering whether to become a Sanctuary for refugees. 

The Sanctuary movement is national. Are you aware of the New Sanctuary Movement? This movement aims to live out the advice of ancient religious texts, like Leviticus 19:34. "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt."

Photo credit: “Urban Grace Church”, 2011. Stephen Cysewski, photographer. Gift of the artist to Darrell Reeck. 

      

Sanctuary status is not an easy decision for a congregation because it means allowing refugees to live in the premises.

Reverting back to Urban Grace, it hasn’t made its decision yet. Prayerful consideration under the gifted pastoral of Ben Robinson and lay leaders continues. A decision will no doubt be made soon. You may support them from afar, if you wish, with a gift at the congregation's website link.

This congregation’s story helps to make a point: citizens are responding to the current national leadership crisis with their own efforts.Efforts like this are happening around you. 

You have a better choice than to worry yourself to death over the headlines every day. Look to volunteer and local governmental initiatives to find the solid ground and join in. Don't let chaos drive you crazy! Do whatever you can to overcome it wherever you are.