Just before I was born, my grandfather, Louis Kelley Price and his beloved, Dorothy, “Big”, were stationed in Germany. While there, they went to the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines. She loved recalling how beautiful it was to cross the underground salt lake with the glistening, crystallized walls of the mine.  

There was joy, and there was a challenge. A painful stitch in her back would not go away this particular day. At the end of the tour, she was left standing above the wooden slides left over from the mining days used as an exit.  

In misery, Big let others glide gleefully down to the lower level. She waited, celebrating each person as they descended, while also strategizing how to bend down to sit on the slide. Finally, she was the only one left standing. Big gently descended on her side into the arms of “Big Daddy”, my grandfather, who caught her at the landing. Once on her feet, she got a standing ovation! Everyone was delighted no one was left behind, and she was not the worse for the wear.

I am recounting this story because as people of faith, we are often in similar conditions. In the ways that we show up in the world, we may find ourselves standing at the top of a proverbial sliding board, in pain and uncomfortable, strategizing how to move forward. There may be ways to land easily; however, when we follow Jesus, he doesn’t deal in comfort as the central way to make meaning. Our currency is faith. Discomfort in transition and trusting our path will also be lined with the joy of wholeness found in seeking God’s ways and through community. 

This Sunday, we will begin our sacred and careful work with Rev. Dr. Mark Smutny to remember our history, while discerning who we are from those who have been among us for ages and those who just arrived. We will look to see if there are patterns in leadership, in our progress and our conflict as a community. In addition, we hope through our time together to promote healing and reconciliation as we begin our future strategic planning and engagement. I hope to see you there!

This will be the beautiful work of the spirit to discern in such a time as this. Our currency is faith! Let us move grace, joy and hope–even with a bit of discomfort–leaving no one behind.  -Rev. Dr. Kelle Brown