Since the election there have been many conversations about how we move forward in justice engagement in the face of rising fascism in our country. As a minister convening our Justice Ministry Council this has been on my mind. In conversations with some of you I hear the frustration, anger, and fear that the coming administration elicits. And I ask myself, how are we going to be called to live into our values in these times? It is important we grieve and acknowledge our dismay with the outcome of the election. And we also are called to explore what our engagement will be moving forward.
I have been avoiding news and doomscrolling. Hearing about cabinet nominations from friends and the occasional perusal of the newspaper are deeply disturbing. Since the election, I have been focusing on being in community, meeting with justice partners and being open to joy and gratitude as I move through my day. Activist Brian McClaren recently shared an Advent reflection about joy as defiance, not denial. He said being constantly angry and enraged leads to exhaustion. We do not want to be exhausted when the calls to action arise.
Embracing joy alongside the harsh realities we face can support us in being defiant and not defeated. When I get caught up in the overwhelming predicament our country (and the world) face with the rise of fascism, the climate crisis, war and so on, I feel like we have no agency. And yet, we do have agency. We are all part of communities and institutions that have ideological power, relational power and tangible resources that can be a force for defiance when facing leadership that promises to enact policies that contradict basic values of equity, equality, democracy and human rights we embrace as UUs.
During these long dark, cold nights may we find ways to heal and gather strength surrounded by our loved ones, to find joy in our daily routines and to carefully ponder the commitments we will make and honor when the new administration is installed. I invite you to consider these frameworks as you explore your bandwidth and capacity for engagement. Rev. Audette and I will host conversations about our justice priorities and congregational engagement moving forward. Details will be shared in the e-news after the winter holidays. I look forward to figuring out how to live into our UU values together.
Until then, may the holiday season find you surrounded by loving community and moments of joy and delight.
With love,
Rev Claudia
Minister of Faith Formation
