Dear St. Lukers,
This past week in worship as a part of Black History Month, we read together as our liturgy the words of poet and playwright Langston Hughes, entitled “I Dream a World.”
I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn
I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom's way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.
A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,
Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of all mankind-
Of such I dream, my world.
It was the perfect poem to settle our bones into the prophetic words that Habakkuk called us into as we dreamed together of how we will share our salt and light. The votes are in and the top ideas, along with continuing the work through Missions’ Restoring Hope for stable housing and food security/sovereignty, were new visions including being intentional about helping people find their meaning and purpose in life; connecting deeper with children and youth, and the adults who raise them; and utilizing our campus to provide spaces for community, conversation, connection, and service.
It was interesting to read the results because they led directly out of an understanding of our holy discontents as individuals, but also our strengths as a congregation and what the demographics of our community are teaching us about the needs of our neighbors. Finding a place to be...
