In summer worship (June 22-August 31, 10am in Willett Hall), we hear from one another about “how we learn to be brave,” (based on a book by the same name here). Bravery is something we begin learning when we’re young and continue strengthening throughout our lifetimes, figuring out how to stand up for what is right, what is good, what is worth defending.
This Sunday, we welcome Peter R, to share his brave story of helping a stranger in need, and hear his reflections on how we can help young people find the courage to be who they are. Peter writes,
It is perhaps easier to be brave in service of the stranger than to risk rejection by those whom you love most. The work of reconciliation between who you know yourself to be and who you are expected to be remains a task worthy of mythic heroes.
When we wonder if we are up for that ‘mythic’ task, and how we can support our young people in finding their courage, Peter encourages us to turn to this Sunday’s scripture passage for encouragement: “So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as God is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.”
Join us on Sunday at 10am in Willett Hall and online to pray, worship, and be brave together.
In faith,
Amy
How We Learn To Be Brave series
June 29: Adam S. — taking a leap of faith with vocational change
July 6: Amy Norton-Benfield — loving bravely
July 13: Miriam C. — defending others
July 20: Wendy W. — helping immigrants
July 27: Koinonia M-P — standing in our power
August 3: Bob C. and Deb S. — facing dementia
August 10: Marwan H. — resilient bravery, being Muslim
August 17: Nathan J-D. — the bravery to be whole
August 24: Peter R. — rescuing a stranger, telling the story
August 31: DJ H. — finding bravery in trusting again
image credit: Don’t Pretend Just Be Yourself, by Amber Lamb
