Desert Notes September 11, 2025

This week as I was talking to some of our members in a committee meeting, I said “We have to err on the side of community because that’s what’s going to save us from the BS.” DeeAnne said, “I want a sermon or a Happenings article about that!” I was talking about how right now we need to deepen relationships and connections with each other because many of the governmental and non profit structures designed to help us/support us and to help our neighbors are under attack. 

I was moved to be part of the Resistance in Action Fair last weekend on our campus and see so many people and organizations encouraging us to stay engaged and not lose hope. Some of these organizations could not have had this kind of outreach (over 350 came through our fair!) safely on their own–but with 34 organizations representing different issues and communities, we were able to get the word out and get folks in the room. I was talking to a member this week about costs related to urgent medical care that many can’t afford without a “go fund me” or personal fundraiser. This isn’t OK–health care in this country is broken. And, people still need care! 

We can’t wait for the system to be rebuilt in some cases–we need help now. The idea of mutual aid is one that helps us understand this gap. Offering our talents, time and skills to one another and receiving from one another is a beautiful way to work around systems that are harming us. We have a pastoral care team and caring neighbors team, but the piece we need to build out is what we each are willing to offer that someone else might need. For example, maybe you can offer tutoring for kids and what you need is help getting to the grocery store. Or maybe you’re great as a handyperson but you need help with your taxes or training your dog. Stepping out of our silos of homes and work into a web of interdependence is what I am talking about. This month we are talking about building belonging. We build belonging when we open ourselves up to each other.  

“Without community there is no liberation, only the most vulnerable and temporary armistice between an individual and her oppression.” Audre Lorde 

“I was so shocked to learn that the opposite of belonging is fitting in. Because fitting in is assessing a group of people and changing who you are. But true belonging never asks us to change who we are. It demands we be who we are.” Brené Brown

–Rev. Sarah