June Message from the Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros, Conference Minister

Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros, Conference Minister

A Loss for Words

There is so much pain and anguish happening in our world. Often it is difficult to know where to put our attention and our energy. If we do focus on an individual cause, we might wonder: will we ever be able to make a difference? It’s much too easy to feel like we are alone and helpless, feeling anger toward a situation that continues to repeat itself over, and over again, destroying countless innocent lives. If you picked up the reference to last week’s mass shooting of 19 children and their teachers, you would be correct. I have been thinking about last week, and the additional killings days, weeks, months, and years before the horrific event in Tuesday in Uvalde and sadly enough, the shooting deaths that have happened since May 24.  As clergy, it is difficult to know what to say in our messages after such a horrific event happens. How do we bring comfort to the people we serve? How do we urge a deeper reflection of the event without participating in the game of blame and without “getting political,” as so many in our congregations hope to avoid?

Taking Sides

This past Sunday I was sitting in the congregation grappling with my own conflicting feelings about Memorial Day. Not about honoring the many lives lost in service, after all I served a short while with the Marines and am deeply patriotic, but about the shortcomings of our government that I can no longer deny.  I was softly shaken out of my personal discomfort by the words of a wise clergy colleague. In their message to the congregation the preacher urged us to feel the sadness, truly feel the sadness of the horrific events that have happened and are happening around us. No blame or shame was put forth. The preacher stayed true to the gospel reminding those present to take care regarding who and what side we align ourselves with. We were gently prompted to remember that as Christians, the side reflecting the love of Christ is where we should always strive to be. This last part was my takeaway from what I heard Sunday morning and to that, I take full responsibility. I say this because as many preachers will attest, what is said in a sermon can be completely different than what a congregant hears.

From Lament to Action

I was grateful for the reminder to feel the sadness, to feel the anguish, pain, and sorrow of the killing of so many innocent lives and the anguish of a whole community. Often it is easier to jump to anger than to feel the sadness. Anger can act as a distraction, and like many distractions it often fizzles away on the long road required to work toward the solutions needed for lasting change. I am not suggesting anger is not appropriate. The Old Norse word for anger is angr, which means distress, grief, sorrow, or affliction. I believe it is only when we truly feel the sadness and lament in the depths of our souls that we can move forward with an emotion that will bring about possible solutions.

The Jewel of the Conference

This last month as I was thinking about writing this message to all of you, I was contemplating the differences in our congregations across the Kansas Oklahoma Conference. The message shifted after the killings in Uvalde, but the original message is still important. Our congregations may not be ethnically diverse, but they are varied and distinct in their size, cultures, and ministries. The mental image that keeps coming to me regarding the churches and congregations in our conference is that of a beautiful gem. Like a finely cut jewel, each congregation represents a facet reflecting the light of Christ. Together they reveal a spectacular beauty. The facets on this jewel currently resting on my heart are those that represent the small and rural congregations. I am learning many of our smaller congregations feel isolated and unsupported by the larger church and many are having trouble locating themselves in the larger message of the United Church of Christ.  I want to assure these congregations that I see you and I care about you and your ministries. If I haven’t already had a chance to meet with you and your leadership, I invite you to contact me for a conversation or meeting.  Share with me your faith community’s hopes and needs. Together, we will find a way to provide the resources and the connection you seek to continue doing God’s work in your communities.

Closing Thoughts

Collectively, let us continue to affirm the importance of connections. Connections are important for our spiritual and emotional well-being. Call someone you don’t normally talk to, reach out and make a connection with someone new. Bless one another and together we will continue to live out Christ’s presence in our world.   

Many blessings as we walk this journey of faith together,

Lorraine