From the General Presbyter

“So I stand at the crossroads of life, this way or that way, well, which shall I go?”

– Song from Leslie Bricusse from Doctor Doolittle

“Everyday is a winding road.”

– Sheryl Crow

I see you. You are at a crossroad.

Should I downsize? Should I have that second child? Should I move my funds? Should I share my idea? Should I retire? Should I tell this person how I really feel? Should I update my PIF?

It happens to the best of us! Our nation is at a crossroads. “Should we reinstitute the mask mandate because of unvaccinated delta variant super spreaders in the Southern US?” “Should we get a booster vaccine?” “Should we waive visa requirements for Afghan citizens who aided us in the war?” And on and on. Our churches are at a crossroad too: Should we develop policies for the vaccinated and unvaccinated? Should we continue to live stream when we regather?

The reason why crossroads seem so daunting is because they can be. They seem to sneak up on us when we are not looking. Yet, I think Sheryl Crow has the right idea. EVERYDAY is a winding road. A crossroad often occurs because of micro incidences that suddenly become magnified, much like conflict between members and/or clergy in Black Lives Matter or Covid-19 protocols. Who knew civil rights or a pandemic would divide us and create crossroads in our personal and professional and church lives?

Crossroads are unavoidable, but maybe if we commit to talking with each other, seeing one another as a child of God, making sound decisions in our personal and professional dealings and committing to regular and frequent prayer, our forks will be easier to navigate.

– Jackie