Contentious times require more love. In my last pastoral letter to you, I talked about the ways in which the gospel rubs like sandpaper against the ways of the world. Today, I want to talk about the love that lies underneath that resistance.

Last week in the news, you may have seen that 27 religious groups are suing the Department of Homeland Security over the recent reversal of the “sensitive locations” policy, which previously restricted ICE immigration raids and arrests at houses of worship. I was personally disappointed that our national setting decided not to join the list of plaintiffs that included the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Episcopalian and African Methodist Episcopal Zion denominations, but we can disagree and still love and care for each other, in covenant partnership where the conversation continues. Part of love is seeking to understand. I can only imagine how difficult that discernment decision, described here, must have been.

Love is Louder: Love Your Neighbor Out Loud is a UCC national initiative that I am genuinely excited about because it includes a practical toolkit for churches who want to widen their welcome to the transgender community, which finds itself under so many attacks these days. The beautiful Love is Louder language covers that and so much more.

There is the eternal and theological truth that God’s love is greater and more powerful than everything else, but there’s also the practical reality that If we want people to know that deep truth, we have to say it out loud. When was the last time you spoke out loud to someone outside the church about the power of God’s love? And when you speak to one another within the church, is love the loudest emotion a stranger walking by would hear?

I believe our churches are well placed to share the word to the world that love is louder than hate, but friends, we control the volume knob by both our voices and by our behavior. Take me for example, as your very human Conference Minister, whose role includes receiving the anxiety and criticism of the body when it is in pain. When I disagree or feel wounded myself, if my judgmentalism drowns out my love, I am just a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal. But when love is louder, the conversation continues, covenantally, even amidst disagreement. So I write this pastoral letter to myself as much as I write it to you. Contentious times call for greater love. Pump up the volume.

Peace and Blessings,

Lillian Daniel

Michigan Conference Minister

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