Spring has definitely spung around the denomination. There is much activity buzzing. From those standing for nominations, to those graduating from intuitions of higher learning to those preparing for our 226th general assembly, to those trying to discern how to navigate a new season of bustling warm wealth of parish activity. In many ways it feels like the church is very much alive and well. In times like these I often think how do we focus our attention in a divided way between the excitement and possibilities of what can be and the realities of what some of us are facing.
I say this because as I was empowered this Spring by the joy of the newness felt in the investiture of Dr. Yolanda Paie as the new president of Stillman College and the excitement as I join Rev. Moongil Cho and our Koren siblings at the NKPC gathering in South Korea. Oh, the possibilities of what the Lord is up to in both convenings amazes me and reminds me that the joy of the Lord swirls around our denomination is so many ways. I also have energy around the power in the Indigenous siblings gathered with Rev. Irv Porter and the World Communion of Reformed Churches last week and the intersectional conversations being led by Samantha Davis from our ministry area in Panama this spring in partnership with Self Development of People. Yes, there are many ways that God is at work in the life of the church and this denomination.
However, there is still yet work to be done. While there is much to celebrate, there is many who may also see much to continue to pray for as communities of marginalized siblings still struggle. In particular, this spring my attention has been toward the concerns of many of the women in our denomination who still face equity issues both in pay, opportunities, and in their reproductive health care. As we uplift and celebrate the Gifts of Women at General Assembly, we cannot negate the dichotomy that some feal there is a persistent erasure happening in the inalienable rights of the same group within this country we live. And while some may say there is a separation of both country and faith, there can be no separation of care and concern of what is truly justice for one and all.
I am also keenly aware of the rising gap between what is considered survival and what is poverty in our country and who that disproportionately affects. We must constantly be reminded that the wealth gap is always the concern of the church and the work of the ministry. When we begin to believe we can turn a blind eye to the economic suffering of our siblings next door is when we begin to pull further away from the gospel that compels us daily. Even though Jesus admonishes us that the poor will be with us always, that does not mean we are not called to address this growing epidemic and to do our best to rectify it in some way. This especially concern me as the Director of RE&WIM because this is an issue that adversely effects people of color and LGBTQIT+ people at higher rates. Many of our churches and leaders are doing we post pandemic and are flourishing. However, many are in discerning what the future may hold.
So as spring continues to burst forth and possibilities abound, let our prayers lead us both in the direction of thanksgiving for the abundance of blessings of the season AS WELL AS mercy for those who continue to preserve despite the adversity of this day.
“Oh Lord you are our strength and our redeemer.” ~Psalm 19:14
The Rev. Shanea D. Leonard
Director, Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries
