Because I want to make sure the following message is heard in as many venues as possible, this will also be replicated in the November Evangelist. Please don’t hesitate to call me with questions or concerns.
Dear Friends,
“Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.”
So writes Henri Nouwen in his pithy book Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life, acknowledging the difficult truth that the life faithfully lived, especially in community, needs ample space, silence, and opportunities to listen. We’ve been doing a lot of talking at St. John’s of late – especially about the upcoming Marriage Amendment and our subsequent support of the Vote No movement in the state of Minnesota – and while there is surely more conversation to be had, your parish leadership is also aware that now is also a time for listening.
We’ve been doing some of that listening already, particularly about the vestry decision to support the “Vote No” movement and our subsequent posting of a banner to the same effect on Summit Avenue. For every 10 comments in favor of those decisions, there is 1 or 2 that feel less than favorable. A few of you have articulated that in one way or another the words we’ve been saying about this issue, whether it has been the content of those words, or how we’ve said them, have left you feeling alienated from St. John’s. This is regrettable.
At the end of the day, the actions of the vestry, the words of our sermons, the forums and special speakers have aimed, in the broadest sense, at creating space for listening and conversation. In the end, that’s what voting “no” does, it allows the conversation about marriage to continue.
If you disagree – if you think churches shouldn’t get involved in political movements or if you are going to vote “yes” on the marriage amendment and you are feeling alienated from St. John’s as a result – you need to hear that you are still welcome here. This church’s support of the Vote No movement does not mean we think you have to follow suit. Unlike some churches, we truly believe you ought to vote your conscience. No matter if you disagree with the decisions and direction our parish has taken on the marriage amendment, the reality is we all still have so much in common and so much we share.
Yes, St. John’s decided to take a stand on this issue. That decision emerges from a process of conversations, listening, and from longstanding relationships in this parish. At the end of the day though, St. John’s is a community whose embrace is wider than one issue or one position. We mean it when we pray “build us up in the knowledge and love of God, that we may welcome all people into this community of faith”.
If you have lingering concerns about this issue or any other, if you are feeling disconnected from St. John’s or if you just need to vent, please know that I’m available as are the other clergy and the wardens. We’d be honored to listen and we’d love to hear from you.
Faithfully,
Jered
