Use Your Voice

What does it take to speak up? Very few of us talk simply for the sake of filling the silence. When I lead a Bible study or other group discussion, I have noticed that when a person decides to say something, there is typically an emotion behind it. Excitement, nervousness, fear, and even anger can be an undercurrent behind a person’s words. We speak because we want to be heard by others and make connections with one another. That sort of desire always comes with a bit of vulnerability, and hope that our words stir up a similar emotion in others.

But what stops us from speaking? So many of us were trained from an early age that we need to raise our hands and wait our turn in order to speak, a method that has probably always seen mixed results of success. Many children are taught to not interrupt, which is healthy advice. When grownups get together, some kids are taught to not speak at all, which is perhaps less healthy. Social pressures can keep your voice locked away. You may feel that your opinion has little value or that it isn’t your place to speak up. You may feel that you need to wait your turn, and then you wait so long that time runs out.

 The first time my oldest daughter stood up for herself was on our way out of the grocery store. Her vocabulary was barely in the double digits, but when I pulled her out of the toddler seat of our shopping cart, she mustered all her willpower to add a new word to her list. With calm indignation she said, “Shoe.” She repeated her one-word plea a few times with increased intensity until I looked at her feet and realized her shoe had fallen off when I took her out of the cart. She used her voice and received justice, however small.

 A recent study of 2,000 Norwegian adults found that among climate activists, anger is the strongest predictor of self-reported activism and policy support.  It was strongest in women and younger people, two groups who have been traditionally kept out of the conversation. Sometimes, it takes a strong emotion to break the dam of silence.

Silence is wonderful for contemplation, especially in worship, but there is one portion of our worship that does not need to remain so quiet anymore. At St. Mark, we pastors lead the prayers of the people, which includes naming everyone on the prayer list. For years, we have concluded that list with something along the lines of “…and all those we name within the silence of our hearts.” You may have noticed a slight shift in that invitation this summer: “…And all those we name out loud or in the silence of our hearts.”

Those additional two words, “out loud” are a small encouragement for you to speak up; however, to my knowledge no one has taken us up on it. Who in your life needs prayer? Say their names. Who is sick or hurting and in need of God’s grace? Use your voice. Talk to God. You may even receive support from those around you, or remind them of dear members in our community who need their prayers. Speak those names with hope, nervousness, and even anger. Speak up and seek justice from our God of mercy.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

Being in Community

Over the past few weeks, I have thought a lot about community.  I have thought about communities from my past that even though I am no long actively participating in them, they helped to make me who I am today.  I have thought about my current communities and how they impact my life. Healthy communities know how to balance loving and supporting each other and holding each other accountable. 

Communities from my past helped me to become the pastor I am today.  They guided me on my faith journey and empowered me to take that first step in starting seminary.  Even the unhealthy aspects of community have helped form me.  I have learned to name things that are unhealthy and I have learned how to set boundaries. 

My current communities continue to help me grow and learn.  As an extrovert, I love being around people and hearing their stories.  This is one of my favorite parts of being in community.  Another aspect of community that I greatly value is the support of a community.  I have witnessed this support many times.  The community of St. Mark doesn’t hesitate to support me when I needed it.  Whether it was the death of my father-in-law back in January or recently when I broke my toes.  The care and concern for me was palpable.  I am so grateful for the St. Mark community. 

Each member of a community has value, from the newborn baby to the oldest member.  Our roles in community change over time, and I find that beautiful.  We cannot be actively involved when we are young children and we may not be able to be active when we are older, but that doesn’t mean we are less valuable.  Our value in community doesn’t change with our role.      

I invite you to reflect on community and how different communities impact your life.  What do you find valuable?  When you gather within community, what role do you feel you have?  What have you learned from being in community?  If you are comfortable sharing, I’d love to hear your answers.    

I give God thanks for the community of St. Mark.  I thank God for each one of you who are a valued member of this community of faith.  I look forward to another year of learning and growing in faith with you all. 

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber