Radical resilience in times of crisis
by Rev. Dr. David Brown
Like everyone else in Los Angeles County last Thursday, January 9, I received the message on my cell phone, ‘Evacuation Warning.’ My teenage children were at home with me, so we all tried to figure out what to do in response to the alert. Despite my suspicions that it might be a false alarm, the next 20 minutes of conversation with my family were critical. If we have to evacuate our house in a matter of minutes, what are we going to take with us?
I have a bag in my bedroom with important documents. Check. Medications, laptop, flashlight, some clothes, our dog Kodiak, food and perhaps our bikes if we had time. I asked my children, if you have five minutes, do you know what you will pack? My son rattled off a detailed plan quickly, which inspired my daughter to get more specific about what her plan might be if the evacuation notice became a reality.
It was a great exercise in crystalizing what is most important to us. Having lost our own sacred space a year ago, Wayfarers Chapel, a place I had the honor and privilege of serving, I understand the loss of a place that is sacred and special. Our historic physical structure no longer exists in an old and familiar way, and yet our spiritual community continues to thrive thanks to Rev. Jason Shelby and his wonderful Congregation at St. Francis Episcopal Church. It has been God’s grace shining through all this loss and tragedy that has made our Wayfaring community stronger than ever before.
A spiritual theme related to the power that material possessions can have on our life is found in the Gospel of Mark. This week, as people were fleeing the fires, there was a vast unknown about what life would look like on the other side of this crisis. There really are no words to convey the loss experienced by so many of our brothers and sisters in the Los Angeles area, and our community is continuing to hold you all in prayer.
It can be comforting to know that people over the centuries have also rebuilt their lives after tragic loss and wandering through the unknown. We can always deepen our faith in times of crisis, knowing that at the core of being, all is well and good and peaceful.
The words from the Gospel of Mark came to mind. Jesus was giving his disciples instruction on how they were to go out into the world.
He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff: no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. — Mark 6:8-9
This must have been challenging for his disciples. It requires faith that God will provide for us all that we need. In times of crisis, where a moment of life or death presents itself, the things we value most shine through most brightly. The people and pets we love are the relationships that bind us together the most strongly. Structures can be rebuilt and new memories can be made. Homes and other possessions can be restored after fires, but human lives cannot.
Wayfarers Chapel Update
Divine Providence is showing up this year as we launch a new phase in our ministry. The term wayfarer is used to describe a traveller by foot. Our new offering of ministry to the public is launching soon, and will be available to anyone on the planet who has an internet connection. This will be an online, hybrid platform where people can join in person or via Zoom from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Sunday. Each week we will explore a spiritual topic and discuss as we learn the growing edges of our spiritual consciousness. Signups can be found on our website:
WayfarersChapel.org/services/worship/exploring-new-earth/
Wayfarers Chapel is committed to remaining on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and rebuilding the architectural gem that was lost last year. If you have ideas about sites where we might be able to rebuild Wayfarers Chapel, please contact me at davidb@wayfarerschapel.org.
Peace, Blessings, and Divine Comfort.