In 2016, I began this blog as a way to communicate about my time as a Commissioner at our denomination’s General Assembly. I decided to continue posting about my life as a rural church pastor. Later the blog served as part of the reflections and communication during a sabbatical. Ten years ago I envisioned the opportunity to share more widely the joy of serving as a rural church pastor in a community that was full of people who had diverse views on politics but a similar view on what it meant to be followers of Jesus united in caring for each other and the wider community.

I had no idea ten years ago how much would change. I had fears that were reflected in the sermons I preached, articles I wrote, posts I made, and conversations I had. But I hoped we would weather 2016 together and come out stronger and more committed to justice than we had been. We had weathered hardship before as a community, as individuals, and as a country. We knew what made us stronger, our diversity and curiosity. We knew hate destroyed because we had learned history. I was hopeful my fears would be for nothing.

I do not need to restate all that has happened in the last decade to prove my fears were not for nothing. We all know what has happened to our country, to our friendships, to our families, and to our congregations. We have weathered the pain of the last ten years, and we are different. Some of our families are stronger, as are our friendships. Some of our communities and congregations are more divided, and some of use are still reeling from the pain of separation from those we shared our lives with for so long.

Recently I was having a conversation about the loss of clergy and I shared more honestly than I usually do about the abuse my colleagues and I have endured since 2016. I shared about the things we often keep quiet, so the congregations we serve do not know the person serving them at the Communion Table is also the person who screamed vitriol in our faces after we said God loves everyone. I had not intended to share as much as I did, and I really did not share as much as I could, but I wanted there to be understanding that MAGA flags throughout the town the church was in really would give most pastoral candidates pause about serving in that partnership. I tried to explain that pastors have weathered so much more abuse than usual in the last decade as we have sought to lead with compassion, to work for justice, and to live the words of Jesus.

In the last decade, I left a congregation full of people who taught me how to follow Jesus and how to be a pastor, I served a congregation in an interim position as they prepared for their next pastoral partner, I served as pulpit supply preaching on Sunday mornings, and I began serving a congregation as a stated supply pastor (this is a contracted position for a designated time frame). I have had the opportunity to see how those who continue to be faithful to their baptismal vows are standing against that which is trying so hard to divide us. I have met so many people who are protesting, writing letters, offering care, and donating their expertise and time to making our communities places of respect and unity. I have also grieved the loss of friendships of those who taught me the faith because they have been consumed by the idolatry of the White Christian Nationalist movement.

As we enter this holiday weekend I grieve the loss of so much, and I rejoice in the many ways we have stood up to evil, worked for justice, cared for each other, and encouraged each other to keep going. I wanted this blog to be a place where I showed how people of different walks of life and different political views could be united in caring for each other and the wider community. I wanted there to another voice singing the praises of rural life.

It has been a decade of sporadic posts and that is okay. But I am hopeful in the coming year to be more dedicated to singing the praises of rural life and all the ways we continue to be voices for justice, peace, and love. We may be small in number, but together we have been holding the line and continue to do so for those who need our protection. I remain thankful for the clergy of all faith traditions who continue to lead and care for our people. Together we will weather this era, and we will be stronger for it.

May you find moments of joy, belonging, and peace this holiday weekend.