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How We Learn To Be Brave: Adam
by Kent French, June 26, 2025
In summer worship (June 22-August 31, 10am in Willett Hall), we will 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.
I’m excited for this theme because our current Zeitgeist calls for bravery more than any I can remember in my lifetime. We began reading Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s book about bravery this spring. Many of you will remember that she caught many people’s attention when, at the inaugural prayer service in January, she called on the President for mercy for the most vulnerable among us. He responded with a characteristic childish backlash on X.
In her memoir, Bishop Budde reflects on the multiple times throughout her life she has learned to practice bravery, starting when she was very young in her family of origin. We will learn from each other this summer and have ample opportunity to reflect on our own experiences of learning to be brave.
Adam S. will kick off our summer theme as he remembers a time when he had to step out without a safety net, into a new, exciting chapter of his life. He will also talk about his own deep spiritual practice of discernment and how it calls him to be brave again in a new chapter of life.
Both Merle and Adam will sing, our guest musician Megan will bring some Bach Goldberg Variations, we will have a baptism and a bittersweet farewell blessing for a beloved family. It will be good church!
Looking forward!
In faith,
Kent
We are still coordinating the overall schedule and will share it in future blogs.
