Dear alumni/ae and friends,
At our in-person September gathering for community and faith leaders, I invited those present to join me for a “sacred pause.” People who work in ministry, non-profits, faith-based settings, and other caregiving environments are often in “fix the problem” mode, attending to various crises as they serve others. They are constantly working to help, protect, serve, defend, minister, care, and love. Sometimes, in the midst of this important work, we need to take a strategic and sacred pause. This pause allows us to take a deep breath and remember the purpose of our work and to also honor the One who calls us to our vocations.
VDS is currently a hub of activity. We welcomed a large incoming class; our faculty remain engaged in groundbreaking teaching and research; our students in field education are serving in local congregations and justice organizations; our Lifelong Learning program is reaching out to constituents onsite and online; and our staff is working tirelessly to keep it all functioning well. Every week brings new speakers, workshops, and events to our building. Never a dull moment.
And still, I invited all present to pause. Acknowledge the joys and obstacles of the work. Speak to the difficulties and possibilities of this current climate. Name the frustrations and the hopes of the present moment. When the writer of Psalm 46 encourages us to “be still and know,” it is an invitation to take a sacred pause and remember that we are not doing this work alone, but in beloved community and by divine purpose.
Best,
Yolanda Pierce, Ph.D.
Dean
University Distinguished Professor of Religion & Literature
University Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies
