Our theme this month is “Holding History”
Holding history mean more than remembering dates, names, and places. For instance, very few of us have pasts without pain woven through. And it’s just easier to shut out those traumatic times than confront them head on. And of course, there’s the unprocessed horrors woven throughout our cultural history. They are the rule not the exception, but we work hard to close ourselves off from them with standard lines like, “At our best, this isn’t who we are!” or “As Americans, we’re better than this!”
All of which is to say that there is a deeper relationship between history and vulnerability than we often recognize. Without a heart willing to feel pain and endure grief, the fullness of our histories just can’t enter in. Talking about past mistakes requires the ability to vulnerably say I’m sorry. An honest telling of racism requires the painful acceptance that some of us still benefit from the prejudices and oppression of our ancestors. And telling your full story requires navigating grief over choices you wish you would have made differently.
So, let’s not just “remember” this month. Let’s not just talk of telling truthful tales. Let’s prepare to grieve, to confess, to feel, to forgive. The world needs broken-open hearts, not just good historians. That is, indeed, the only way the past gets in.
Join us this month in exploring our theme through Sunday services, our SEEK program, and on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
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