I believe that love is a special gift with eternal, deeply rooted, connecting power that calls out the best in us, provides a balm for hurt, a trampoline for joy, a spiritual thread that connects us one to another and tethers us to God. I also believe that at times, we must look hard, with intention to see it in the world and in each other.
Yesterday, I made my first foray into standing vigil in New Bedford. Members of the immigrant communities in the area were asked what they needed or what would help counter the perception that they are pariah and not welcome. The local clergy and folks from the Quaker Meeting House and Mass Council of Churches organized a series of vigils. The plan is to gather together for an hour each Wednesday, hold signs, sing songs. Stand in love.
Yesterday we stood in a little pocket park in New Bedford and held signs and made eye contact with people walking and driving by.
I’ll struggle to convey how powerful an experience this was.
Imagine drivers slowing down to read or see what on earth this group of people are doing sitting and standing in an unused area, and then smiling, shoulders relaxing, waving and driving on. We were good (and surprising) news to people in the neighborhood.
A bus driver slowed down so that the remaining children on her bus could see us. She waved, and I felt like we’d offered the best civics lesson imaginable. There were tinted windowed souped up cars that slowed and drivers who were shocked to read our themes. When someone boldly rolled down the window and said - “What are you doing?” the response was “Standing in Love” which must have been puzzling, because she turned around and drove by again and the smile that spread across her face was infectious! I had such goosebumps by this simple act of connection and companionship. At the end of the hour, I was all in.
I’ll do this again next Wednesday, and God willing, the Wednesday after that. The simple act of standing and offering a loving presence in an area that is carrying hurt and fear and distrust feels remarkable and holy. I am grateful to have been included, and profoundly grateful for the people for whom we were a surprise. I hope they go home and tell someone about what they saw. Perhaps our standing in love will spread and dissipate a bit of the added burden that people who saw us are carrying.
Logistics: I’ll leave church at 4:15pm on Wednesday afternoons in order to arrive in New Bedford at 5:30pm. I have 3 comfortable and 4 seats if we squoosh, and would be happy to offer chauffer services if you would like to join me.
Amy+
Yesterday, I made my first foray into standing vigil in New Bedford. Members of the immigrant communities in the area were asked what they needed or what would help counter the perception that they are pariah and not welcome. The local clergy and folks from the Quaker Meeting House and Mass Council of Churches organized a series of vigils. The plan is to gather together for an hour each Wednesday, hold signs, sing songs. Stand in love.
Yesterday we stood in a little pocket park in New Bedford and held signs and made eye contact with people walking and driving by.
I’ll struggle to convey how powerful an experience this was.
Imagine drivers slowing down to read or see what on earth this group of people are doing sitting and standing in an unused area, and then smiling, shoulders relaxing, waving and driving on. We were good (and surprising) news to people in the neighborhood.
A bus driver slowed down so that the remaining children on her bus could see us. She waved, and I felt like we’d offered the best civics lesson imaginable. There were tinted windowed souped up cars that slowed and drivers who were shocked to read our themes. When someone boldly rolled down the window and said - “What are you doing?” the response was “Standing in Love” which must have been puzzling, because she turned around and drove by again and the smile that spread across her face was infectious! I had such goosebumps by this simple act of connection and companionship. At the end of the hour, I was all in.
I’ll do this again next Wednesday, and God willing, the Wednesday after that. The simple act of standing and offering a loving presence in an area that is carrying hurt and fear and distrust feels remarkable and holy. I am grateful to have been included, and profoundly grateful for the people for whom we were a surprise. I hope they go home and tell someone about what they saw. Perhaps our standing in love will spread and dissipate a bit of the added burden that people who saw us are carrying.
Logistics: I’ll leave church at 4:15pm on Wednesday afternoons in order to arrive in New Bedford at 5:30pm. I have 3 comfortable and 4 seats if we squoosh, and would be happy to offer chauffer services if you would like to join me.
Amy+
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