What's Next? - with Marilyn Rudy-Froese

In the last year, we as leaders found ourselves in the wilderness of Covid. With the Psalmist, we asked, “How can we sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land?” As the pandemic continued, we, like the Israelites in exile, began to “build houses and plant gardens," making a home in virtual spaces. As more people get vaccinated, we are in a time when we can see the end of this pandemic exile, even while we are still in the midst of pandemic restrictions. We are in the pivotal time of Isaiah 40, where we are hearing words of comfort and hope, that this time is almost over. Do we hear the prophet’s words, “Comfort, O comfort my people,” spoken to us? Can we, along with the prophet, proclaim that there is a way through the wilderness? How do we place ourselves “on a high mountain,” so that we can see and say, “Here is your God”?

This workshop will offer an opportunity to reflect together on how we can learn to see God in new ways, and what it looks like to see God in this new place. What are congregational practices that help us live into God’s time. What are the visual reminders for us that God has been here and will lead us home?

September 21, 2-3 p.m.