Dear Beacon:

My mind could not be tricked. (Rev. Emilie’s, that is.) There was no way we could take this moment for granted. This. This right here. This moment was one stunning moment. 

Up until Rev. Robin and I stood together at the pulpit on our first multi-platform Sunday (multi-platform meaning in person and virtual service), we had been troubleshooting 101 different problems. Nevertheless, every single detail dissolved into the background as we looked out into the sanctuary and the live-stream cameras to see a gathered community after 16 months of talking to an empty sanctuary. 

It was beautiful. 

It has been difficult to trust that this moment would or could happen. After a year of uncertainty, after months of “waiting and seeing,” after weeks of relentless challenges, after days of careful testing, it started to feel like it would never arrive. Like moving without getting anywhere.

How often does life feel that way for you? Like it will never arrive?

The 13th century Persian poet Rumi is said to have written, “As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears.” It’s no good to expect the way to appear from the comfort of your own fortress. You must be willing to walk out, to move out toward life, to trust that living is possible. 

The same is true with relationships. To be rooted in relationship, the theme for both August and this entire year, requires us to “walk out on the way.” I was once throwing myself a pity party in a counseling session, complaining about how lonely I felt, questioning why no one ever reached out to me. My counselor smiled kindly and challenged me, “You are waiting for them to come to you, Emilie. What if you walked out to meet them?” 

When Beacon folx arrived on Sunday ~ whether in person or online ~ the beauty was witnessing the folx who had come out to welcome them. Suzanne on the Waldron porch. Marty in the receiving line. Misa and John leading us in song on the Springfield porch. Henry and Scott ensuring we could hear. Karen chatting from Buffalo on Facebook and Sasha from Toronto on YouTube (minus that glitch when the comments weren’t activated). Daniel kindling our chalice. Jeanne lighting candles of joy and sorrow. Cathy sharing a personal story. Jamaine, Lucy and Henry playing games. And the list keeps going…. 

Magical, magnificent moments - like Sunday - will keep happening at Beacon, in spite of and often because of the imperfections. We will not take these moments for granted. We will come out to meet them. Believe in their power. Trust in their potential.

Root yourself in relationship that is our ever aspiring beloved community.

With a faith known as Love,

Dr. Tuli Patel and Reverends Robin & Emilie