Relentless love.
Dear friends and members of St. Matt’s,
A few weeks ago, I was invited by Dr. Smith, Superintendent of Wilton Public Schools to attend a School Board Meeting in which a number of kids told some painful stories about bullying and discrimination they had experienced based on race, mental health, or religion. Notably, there were no kids at the table to speak from the LGBTQIA+ perspective – but I’m confident there are kids who could have told stories at that table, too. I give thanks for Kevin’s leadership and for the presence and open hearts of many in that room – everyone from staff and teachers, to school board representatives, to parents and my own inter-faith colleagues. These kids were brave as they told their stories. And our hope is to continue to work together, across this community, to encourage respectful relationships, to build meaningful bonds, to seek reconciliation, to protect those who have been wounded and to fight racism, anti-semitism, ableism, and the many, many other things that divide us. To not just ensure the safety and well-being of all our kids, but to make sure that every child has a chance to thrive. It was a good conversation, and only a new beginning. As this work never ends.
As many of you know, if you follow the news in Wilton, there has been a public incident this week, involving high school students, using racial language and racial slurs that are hateful and unacceptable. And what I hear in the surrounding noise is a community that is broken, a community that is concerned, kids that have been hurt, kids who – just like all of us – must learn, grow, and apologize for what’s been done wrong.
Our tradition is very clear that even as Priest, my role is not as judge and jury. Even when someone comes to me for confession, for the rite of reconciliation that is in our Prayer Book, the liturgy is clear: I am a companion, an aide, not a judge. And it’s in that role that I write to you about this today.
At St. Matthew’s, we have spent the last several years reading books, having difficult conversations, and inviting the community both within and outside our walls to join us in the work of racial justice. We are called to this work precisely because of what is happening in the public schools right now, which is really just a microcosm of society. We have not “made it” we are not “there”. We are still waiting for the Spirit to lead us to a place of understanding – and as we wait – we have work to do. As Christians, and specifically, as Episcopalians, we are called to respect the dignity of every human being. And that means that sometimes we have to get into the mess, to lend a hand, to help lift someone up, to give of our time, talent, and treasure, to take a risk, to level the playing field. Sometimes, there are little concrete ways to do that. Sometimes, we have to find bigger ways to act together. We are called to build peace, to build justice, to love everyone.
If you’re following this story in Wilton, I want to encourage you to do that with a loving heart. A heart that seeks the best for all people, for all kids. Wonder with me about how we can be involved and how we can help, how we can weave love and respect and compassion into the fabric of this community and all the communities in which you live. And let us be brave enough to look the sin of racism in the eye, to name it for what it is. And to do what we can every day to dismantle it. At St. Matt’s, we are always working to extend and to deepen our welcome. We have something to offer this conversation in our larger community. And in these hard moments, may we bring – and sew – and plant – and weave – and breathe God’s love into the room. Love that insists on equality, love that is relentless, love that never ends, love that always makes room at the table. For everyone. It’s this love that calls us by name, this love we are called to share, this love the world – and this community – so desperately need.
Faithfully,
–Marissa +