Dearly Beloved,
The leaves dance to the ground like tiny golden angels playing in the breeze. I've been intentionally making time to sing and dance by myself and with my children. These little pauses in my day to play and delight help sustain me in the struggle that is this moment. The struggle of this moment that requires us to dissociate as part of our daily managing -- I know I certainly can't hold at every moment of every day that one in eight of our neighbors will be losing their food assistance in three days, not to mention the harm being done our LGBTQ+ and immigrant siblings, or the essential jobs and services being cut. Moments of deep connection, singing, dancing, play, and laughter help me feel resourced for the moments when I do pause and sit with what is happening across our country and all that is wrong.
I am making space for grief and anger, and then working to transform my anger and grief into energy to act. After all, thoughts and prayers are not going to get us very far right now and can compound and/or diminish the harm people are experiencing. So here are some practical ways to connect as well.
SNAP Food Assistance payments on hold
As you may know, November SNAP payments are on hold. The federal government shutdown means Colorado can’t send benefits to approximately 615,000 Coloradans, including 34,000 Larimer County residents, who rely on SNAP. If you or someone you know needs help, you can get assistance here. Want to give to help those struggling? Your financial gift makes the most impact in fighting hunger. Learn how to give to support Larimer County Foodbank here.
Some good news today: Shelter for our unhoused neighbors
As of yesterday, the city of Loveland announced a new short-term plan to shelter those experiencing homelessness. It will provide 22 indoor beds prioritizing the needs of women and those with disabilities, and it will offer additional space for 20 tents (people will have to provide their own tents). You can read more about the new plan here. One of our members reached out to the Loveland Resource Center and learned that -- YES! They will take donations of used tents. More information about that to come in next week's midweek email.
Additionally, if you are in need of a Thanksgiving turkey or dinner, please speak discreetly to me. Someone has offered gift cards to be used for that purpose.
I hope that you, like me, are feeling moved to pray with your body. With your hands and feet. With your mouth and money and vote. Individually and together, we have what we need for this time. To quote poet June Jordan in her 1978 work "Poem for South African Women": We are the ones we have been waiting for. As people of faith, we can proclaim together what we know to be true: that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27).
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we celebrate our saints (please bring photos of them for our communion table), as we consider the legacies we have received and those we are creating, and as we hear the first of our stewardship reflections from our congregation.
In love, gratitude and hope,
Thandiwe
