Likewise, we are not called to be Christians in the privacy of our own home or house of worship. Following Christ requires being in the world, but not of the world. Being a disciple of Jesus means acknowledging the pain and brokenness in our lives and imagining our way into healing and hope.
Author: Samantha Haycock
Samantha Haycock
Lay Chaplain to the University of Arkansas at St. Martin’s Episcopal Center and Young Adult Minister at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Samantha does ministry with students, faculty, and staff on campus at the University, organizes our Young Adult Ministry, and facilitates our Becoming Beloved Community initiative. She has a passion for spreading Jesus’ call for social justice and she helps people to make connections between their daily and spiritual lives so that they can bring their whole and authentic selves to the world. She also serves on the board of Forma: The Network for Christian Formation, represents Province 7 on the Episcopal Office of Campus Ministry Council of Advice, and is a student with Bexley Seabury Seminary.
A PRESCRIPTION FOR TERRIBLE THINGS
Jesus did not check people’s employment status before healing them and I am sure some of those bodies he raised from the dead had pre-existing conditions. Jesus had a preferential option for the sick and the poor.
MY TURKEY & MY MUSLIM NEIGHBOR
Islamophobia is one of many plagues sweeping the modern United States. Anti-Muslim sentiment relies on expansive, hateful judgement not fact or reality. The Muslim community is diverse – just like the Christian community is diverse. The Muslim faith is nuances – as is the Christian world.
LOOKING IS NOT TENDING
This morning we read the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree from the Gospel of Luke. A story of aman who had a tree planted. He came looking for fruit. He came looking for three years. Every year that he came looking the tree was barren. He could look no more. It was time for…
UNBIND THEM AND LET THEM GO
Our inability to prevent bad things from happening does not undermine our ability to care for others. Pain is a part of human existence, but like Jesus we can respond with compassion and work for healing in our communities. Matthew was martyred, we cannot change history. Our government is perpetuating violence, we do not have the immediate power to stop this reign of terror. What we can do is pay attention to our community and care for our LGBTQ+ siblings. We can do both immediately in an embodied way and also by advocating for institutional and governmental changes that affirm the dignity of all people.
DISCOVERING A MOVEMENT
In the past few years I have become increasingly overwhelmed by the news cycle. I don’t imagine that this is because the world is becoming more violent, dangerous, or devastated – I think it’s probably been that way all along. Instead I believe my conscious awareness of the injustices of this world has risen. This is probably true for lots of people like me.
TO BE A FAITHFUL FRIEND
I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel like I have to do things on my own. When I feel overwhelmed by the news cycle, when I am facing a hard decision, when I am feeling challenged by the circumstances of my life – I can fall in to the trap of thinking I…
