A MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON: A MEANINGFUL REMEMBRANCE
Greetings friends,
As we continue to wander the Exodus wilderness 
along with the Hebrew people toward A Future with Hope, this week we consider God’s promise of guidance and how that impacts our stewardship. We also celebrate All Saints, remembering those who have been our companions on the journey, who still guide us from among the great cloud of witnesses.
Something about the intersection of these two themes brought to mind a favorite blessing of mine from Jan Richardson from her book, Circle of Grace:
Beloved Is Where We Begin
If you would enter
into the wilderness,
do not begin
without a blessing.
Do not leave
without hearing
who you are:
Beloved,
named by the One
who has traveled this path
before you.
Do not go
without letting it echo
in your ears,
and if you find
it is hard
to let it into your heart,
do not despair.
That is what
this journey is for.
I cannot promise
this blessing will free you
from danger,
from fear,
from hunger
or thirst,
from the scorching
of sun
or the fall
of the night.
But I can tell you
that on this path
there will be help.
I can tell you
that on this way
there will be rest.
I can tell you
that you will know
the strange graces
that come to our aid
only on a road
such as this,
that fly to meet us
bearing comfort
and strength,
that come alongside us
for no other cause
than to lean themselves
toward our ear
and with their
curious insistence
whisper our name:
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
Individually and collectively, I wonder who is whispering Beloved in our ears and offering their help as we chart this wilderness path through uncertainty and transition into the steadiness of the next chapter of life and ministry as a congregation? Whose voice reassures us of God’s promise of A Future with Hope? What reminders of their presence and encouragement might ground us, keep us clear-eyed and full-hearted?
Whoever your individual or FPCB saints may be, I invite you to bring their memory with you to worship this Sunday. Feel free to bring a photo or memento if you like!
We’ll remember and give thanks for their lives during our communion liturgy, and you’re welcome to hold them close in spirit as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper alongside all the saints gone on before us. It will be a tender, meaningful Sunday together, dear ones.
Christ’s peace,
Lindsey