Beloved Community,
I offer my gratitude that you have given me the time and space to be away at a conference that is both challenging and uplifting. The Festival of Homiletics (in other words, a preaching conference for those who preach a progressive understanding of the Good News) is a conference I have wanted to attend for years. But, as it is geared for those who preach on a regular basis – it was not until I became your pastor that I was able to attend. I knew that it would be a transformative experience – but I could not have begun to imagine how it would change me.
The truth is, however, I am still not able to begin to understand how it will change me. I simply know that I am changed and will continue to change as I reflect on what I have heard and experienced here.
Try to imagine this – I am hearing 5-7 sermons or lectures a day. Each given by a prophetic voice whom I have tremendous respect for. Each sermon and lecture fills my soul and convicts me to find my own prophetic voice. There are moments when I am in deep lament about the state of our world today and wondering what one voice can do to begin to turn the tide. Then, I hear a word of hope. A word of awe. A word of mystery. A word of Good News. And I know that it is when each voice is added to another that a symphony of voices speaking with moral imagination will fill the air.
I am thinking of all of you at First Congregational moment to moment. You are the reason I am here learning and striving to better myself. You are the inspiration I am drawing on. It is the pulpit at First Congo and the public square of Winona that I am called to preach in, of that I am sure.
I don’t know how I will be changed, just that I will be. I am eager to explore what I am learning and praying about with all of you when I return. Until then, God’s love and grace to you all.
Blessings,
Pastor Danielle
As your Spirit is filled, so it also fills us. We are so fortunate to walk with you on this journey as a congregation doing God’s will and loving both mankind and our earth.
It is obvious from your sharing we are already being blessed and inspired by your attendance. Thanks for sharing now and in the future!