Interesting Times
Do you remember that alleged “ancient Chinese curse” about living in interesting times? A long time ago – like college years – I recall wondering why “interesting times” would be a curse. Now I know.
We are living in interesting times – sad, strange, and stupid times. I long for a stretch of sustained boredom. Is it too much to expect a quick return to a time when there were not federal troops patrolling U.S. cities?
With all that is happening around us, it’s easy to get worn out by the constant need to respond. Calls to show up at school board meetings to protect the rights of trans kids roll straight into calls to show up at Metro stops to protect students on their way back to school, and those roll straight over calls to make calls and write letters to our representatives to oppose the near constant attacks on democracy and the federal workforce.
I mention a tiny drop in the tidal wave of calls for the energy, imagination, intelligence, and love of the church to stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable members of our community at any given moment.
I’d really like to just go to the beach for a stretch, but when the tidal wave is coming in, the beach is not the best place to be!
Still, in the face of all that confronts us just now, it remains important to find time and space to get away for a bit. Whatever that looks like for you – a day of silent retreat, a get-away to a ballgame, some time at an actual beach – whatever that looks like for you, remember that taking care of ourselves is the only way we can ever be prepared to take care of others.
Sabbath time is not just a good idea, it’s the fourth commandment. Remember sabbath time, and treat it as holy and good.
Monday morning NCP will be present at many Metro stops
P.S.: Here’s another opportunity to respond. National Capital Presbytery is inviting faithful Presbyterians to show up at Metro stops, particularly those near DCPS high schools, to be supportive as kids make their way back to school in our occupied city on Monday. Metro stops have been among the targets of the federalized policing, and we are planning a ministry of presence and of witness. The purposes include:
smoothing the transition from place to place for students (and other Metro riders);
helping keep students from harm;
de-escalating any situations that may arise;
praying for the peace and well-being of all.
Several Westerners will be going to the Foggy Bottom stop Monday morning from 7:30-9:30 to welcome students heading to the nearby School Without Walls (and GW students, too).
If you would like to support but cannot make it to Foggy Bottom Monday morning, Metro cards with $5 on them would be helpful. DCPS students have access to an app that lets them ride for free, but sometimes apps or phones get wonky and teenagers, being teenagers, also get wonky and jump the turnstiles. In this season on heightened policing, a fare care can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a potentially dangerous encounter with police. You can bring fare cards to church on Sunday, and we’ll make sure they are available to the folks who will be at the Metro on Monday.
Hymns for Sunday:
God the Sculptor of the Mountains