Dear First Pres,

   Ten years ago I was hired as a Networker (now called Summer Staff) with five other college-aged peers to serve in youth ministry. I remember getting a phone call earlier that spring asking if I would still consider coming even though the church was going through a lot (the tragic loss of Pastor Jamie Evans). It was definitely a strange time to enter into a new community, but all summer the people of FPC made our team feel welcomed, loved, and that our efforts to care for students mattered. 

   Last week, even though in a lot of ways it does not feel like summer, we onboarded four new Summer Staff to join JR, Ani, Margie and myself. As we were hiring them I remember having a very similar conversation that I had with the leadership 10 years: It’s a strange season of ministry and we are inviting you to come learn and grow alongside us as we navigate uncharted waters. Although it was a hard season, I am grateful for the way that summer changed the trajectory of my whole life and I pray this summer is meaningful for our Summer Staff and the families they engage. 

Our theme verse for Summer Staff this year comes from Galatians 5:13-14: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (NIV) 

(If you missed the article of them introducing themselves, you'll find it here.)

   We are wrestling with how to serve one another humbly in love. How do we love our neighbor in the midst of two pandemics: COVID and racism? Our lived experiences ebb and flow with tension. They probably always have, but it seems to be a little more widespread of an experience these days. Anyone else left to feel like we are in uncharted territories in this season? 

   With COVID: We are left to discern when and how to re-enter into a new type of normal with work and life. We long to be together and yet want to respect the needs of the whole community. The process of moving forward can feel tense as everyone has a different approach. It only makes sense that we would all respond differently because none of us have been through something quite like this before.

   With racism: We are faced with the painful reality that too many brothers and sisters, created in the image of God, are still suffering. We really need Jesus and the truth of the gospel as we cannot move forward in racial reconciliation without him. The process of opening ourselves to others during this time may fill you with tension, excitement, fear or vulnerability. My encouragement is to press in even when it feels hard. 

   Brené Brown, author of Braving the Wilderness, states, “In order to empathize with someone’s experience you must be willing to believe them as they see it and not how you imagine their experience to be.” Perhaps this is one way we can practice serving one another in love by humbly allowing ourselves to listen to others’ stories without projecting, discounting, or trying to fix the situation. There are a lot of things that can divide us these days, how can God use empathy to draw us back to one another? 

   Hannah Hurnard, author of Hinds’ Feet on High Places, says “To love does put yourself into the power of the loved one and to become very vulnerable to pain.” This could not be more true as I watched Selma this weekend. In order to love my brothers and sisters well means that I have to enter into the immensely painful reality of their experiences. I’m learning how to listen, make mistakes, be humbled and try again and again. 

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (ESV) 

   The beautiful thing about this call to do justice, to love our neighbor, and to serve one another with humility is that God does not expect us to do it alone. Instead, God is inviting us to journey with him and with one another. The work of empathy, humility, and love do not come from a place of scarcity, but instead they come from the abundance of God. 

   Jesus says, “come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Come to Jesus with your prayers of tension, frustration, excitement and vulnerability. Confess where you have not done justice, not loved your neighbor or did not show humility. Then receive God’s mercy, grace, and rest, so you can try again. 

   How then do we pursue justice? Together. How do we show kindness? Together. How do we walk with humble hearts? Together. May we experience the depth of God’s love in new ways and experience the tangible leading of the Holy Spirit as we journey together this summer. 

Meagan Bergem
Director of Youth Ministries