Pastor's Corner, October 2020: In which Priscilla Rocks

During these tumultuous times do you find yourself confused about how to answer the seemingly simple question, “How are you doing?”   I try to avoid the answer “fine.” I have said okayish. I’ve even answered with a slogan borrowed from an Instagram post by responding “I am happy, hurting, and healing all at the same time.”  Let me elaborate on specific reasons that make me feel each of these various ways.

I’ll share two things that made me happy recently. First, I passed my final ordination exam and after a discernment process that began in 2011, I can finally embrace the title of ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. This accomplishment was only possible with encouragement and support from family, friends, and the loving community at Chestnut Hill United. Thanks for being the home where I get to experiment, learn, and grow in covenant relationship with you. Soon we’ll get to plan the ordination service to mark the occasion by thanking God for faithfully seeing me through.

Second, I was happy to see so many Philadlephians lined up at Roxborough High School on a 70 degree day on a Friday in early October to drop off their mail in ballots early. The vibe in the air was that our civic duty is serious, important business. The act of voting never felt more sacred.

The hurt comes from the  pain and loss that has resulted from the pandemic. I miss the freedom of being in close proximity to loved ones. I want to give hugs, squeeze hands, and stop treating people as potential vectors of this deadly virus.  So many have lost people they love.  I miss the way things used to be. Yet I have no intention of returning to what once was. God is calling us to take stock and to transform. There is a new world coming and we get to imagine what it could be and do our part to make it come to fruition.

And now for the healing process. I can feel myself healing in so many supportive spaces. I heal with others who are parenting in a pandemic and take time every Monday night to check in and encourage each other. People of color heal together through laughter in another zoom gathering space. Finally, Margaret and I have been working on a campaign called It Takes a Healer with other multi-faith leaders. We are raising money to support the work of two amazing grief workers in Philadelphia, Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy and Chaplain Medina Jones. We are dreaming of a world in which emotional care, healing, and spiritual accompaniment for Black communities in our city are fully supported. To find out more or to donate to this worthy cause check out the GoFundMe. Let’s keep healing together. Let’s stop pretending that we’re fine when reality invites us to go deeper.