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We live in a beautiful community. We want to keep our hearts and minds open to meet the growing list of challenges our country is facing, and to create a community where everyone belongs. To do that, we know we need to have open, respectful dialogue.
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“When I listen to the news, especially over the last month, it makes my heart hurt,” says Pam Leibring, originator of the Love Rising Community Day of Prayer & Meditation. “Pandemic, unrest, unemployment, racial tension, injustice … there’s just so much pain right now. And I felt like I had to do something. What do many of us do when we’re experiencing great sadness? We pray. So I talked to my priest, Reverend Randi Hicks Rowe, who is the rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burt. We discussed a prayer vigil. I brought the idea to other church members, and the idea has blossomed from there.”
While the effort’s initial organizers are members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burt, their hope is members of other churches as well as secular community members will support this idea and contribute their own energy and efforts to bring people together – not only for thoughtful consideration of what we’re facing at local and national levels, but also to challenge community members to learn how to begin potentially difficult conversations, ask questions and listen to each other to find common ground, and to consider how to make positive changes together. Focusing efforts and actions on a single day – from dawn to dusk – may renew or create connections between the local clergy and community leaders who can help lead conversations and facilitate future efforts.
“Many of us believe in the power of prayer. But you don’t need to be a religious person to be part of this day,” explains Leibring. She emphasizes that this effort is not owned by a single church, or even by faith communities. “If you have love for your neighbors, love for your community, please join us. Set aside an hour, or whatever time you have. Join in person (at a safe social distance) or join from the peace of your own home.”
While the effort’s initial organizers are members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burt, their hope is members of other churches as well as secular community members will support this idea and contribute their own energy and efforts to bring people together – not only for thoughtful consideration of what we’re facing at local and national levels, but also to challenge community members to learn how to begin potentially difficult conversations, ask questions and listen to each other to find common ground, and to consider how to make positive changes together. Focusing efforts and actions on a single day – from dawn to dusk – may renew or create connections between the local clergy and community leaders who can help lead conversations and facilitate future efforts.
“Many of us believe in the power of prayer. But you don’t need to be a religious person to be part of this day,” explains Leibring. She emphasizes that this effort is not owned by a single church, or even by faith communities. “If you have love for your neighbors, love for your community, please join us. Set aside an hour, or whatever time you have. Join in person (at a safe social distance) or join from the peace of your own home.”
