Letter from Amy: Oct 1, 2025

Dear Incarnation,

At 12:01am, our government shut down. Because we live in the federal government’s “company town,” this shutdown isn’t just another abstract example of partisan gridlock. It’s personal and local, impacting people we love within our church, neighborhood, and relational networks. It’s also not our first shutdown, and certainly won’t be our last.

One federal worker messaged me yesterday that waiting on the shutdown news felt like being a kid waiting for a snow day. Then she corrected herself and said it was more like waiting for an approaching hurricane, because the forecast is predicting displacement and destruction. On that rather sobering note, I want to say to all of our federal and federal-adjacent workers at Incarnation: thank you for your service to our nation. Thank you for your faithful work for the common good, even as storm clouds gather.

I am praying for each of you as you weather this latest shutdown. By God’s grace, may it be more like a snow day than a hurricane (on that note, come grab a beer with other furloughed folks at Hops n’ Shine at 2:30pm today)! I am praying for God’s abundant provision during the furloughed period, and for his protection against permanent job loss. I am also praying for endurance, peace, and rest — you’ve already unexpectedly found yourselves in the middle of many political storms this year, and I have heard from many of you how wearying the onslaught of official emails, public comments, agency shakeups, and looming cuts has been. If you'd like to talk or pray, please reach out.

This is also a great time to mention that we have a Benevolence Fund for church members in need of financial assistance. We established this fund earlier this year during the first wave of federal workforce reductions, and have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the congregation in response. This is one simple way we can practice the generous economics of the kingdom that we’ve been preaching about for the past few weeks. You can request funds using this short application, or simply through a conversation with me or Katie. And you can contribute to this fund here. It's a privilege to be able to support one another. We'll give a full update on the Benevolence Fund at next month's parish meeting!

During these polarized times, I often find myself praying these words from the Book of Common Prayer (Occasional Prayer #44):

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

***

On an entirely different note, Sunday’s gospel reading presented some challenging words from Jesus on Hades, fiery torment, and the eternal destination of the unrepentant rich. (I must say, the lectionary really knows how to welcome a gal back from sabbatical!)

My sermon barely scratched the surface of these weighty matters, but I also mentioned that we preached a series several years ago on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. If you’re interested in hearing more, you can find that series on Spotify or Soundcloud. Or please reach out for a coffee to talk more — no question is out of bounds!

I genuinely love wrestling together with these difficult passages. I think it really matters that we remember our mortality, the coming judgment, the long arc of history, and God’s promised renewal. These truths anchor us in the goodness and justice of God. They remind us of the reality of the eternal kingdom, of the fleetingness and frailty of our shared humanity. And they break into our carefully-curated worlds to challenge our assumptions — which any God worth worshiping ought to do. So please, reach out if you'd like to talk more.

***

This weekend is our annual fall retreat! A record 80 folks are signed up to join us at Camp Highroad for what promises to be a refreshing weekend enjoying God, nature, good food, hidden talents, and each other’s company. Our own Lauren Little will lead our time together. I can’t wait!

For those who aren’t joining us on the retreat, there will be NO service at Beverley Hills on Sunday, Oct 5! You’re all still welcome to join us for a relaxed 10am-ish outdoor Eucharist on Sunday at Camp Highroad; no signup necessary. Or you might want to worship with our mother church, Restoration Anglican (services at 8:00, 9:30, & 11:15; yes, they are just slightly larger than us!), or at a neighborhood church near you.

And we'll be back together on Sunday, October 12 at Beverley Hills, when children's programs kick off!

Warmly,

Amy