Presbyterians Today - Mountains and Valleys

Dear friends,   As we enter the season of Ordinary Time, I am reminded that nothing is ever ordinary. Yet there is something about the word “ordinary” that fits. Not in the sense of boring or dull but as an “in-between” season, a time to breathe after the culmination of the celebratory days. Just as most of our days are lived between the big events, the church year is filled with more ordinary days than holidays. The holy days are the mountaintops, whereas Ordinary Time is the slopes, valleys and flatlands. All are beautiful — and all are necessary. Those valleys and flatlands are often where healing takes place. It is a safe space where we can embrace the transformative power of vulnerability and the courage to confront our deepest wounds. We all have a journey of trauma healing — whether it came from abuse, grief, disaster or even religion. My journey recovering from religious trauma has been filled with twists and turns, leading me to the realization that healing is a sacred and ongoing process. And it requires us to be vulnerable, which feels counterintuitive in the moment. We continue our ongoing exploration of “healing” and “repair” in our blog posts and stories. They teach us that healing from religious trauma often requires us to reshape our spiritual identity independently. Filtering through the debris of rigid doctrines, inherited theological concepts, and damaging or poisonous ideologies allows us to discover the core of our genuine spirituality, bestowed by a higher power. Embracing self-compassion means allowing ourselves to be imperfect, recognizing that healing is a journey and that it’s OK to lean on others for support. Perfection is not the goal. Leading from a place of humanness is very much in line with the ministry of Jesus. As you delve into the stories below, seek out the insights nestled within, ones that resonate and beckon to be woven into your own journey. Though the imprints of religious trauma may linger, they need not define our leadership; instead, they can be harnessed as sources of profound wisdom.

Melody K. Smith Associate Director for Digital and Marketing Communications

Whosoever

The intersection of biblical interpretation and queer identities remains a focal point of discussion. The latest blog post, "For the Bible Tells Me So," delves into this complex intersection.The author offers a poignant exploration of how interpretations of scripture impact attitudes towards sexuality and gender diversity. Read how they navigated the delicate balance between fidelity to scripture and the call for inclusivity and affirmation, while serving as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking acceptance and belonging within religious contexts.

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When Religion Leads to Trauma

In the landscape of faith and spirituality, the subject of religious trauma has gained increasing attention. Probing the complex relationship between religious communities and healing from trauma, this article navigates the paradoxical role of churches as both sources of trauma and potential sites for healing and restoration. As faith communities confront the reality of religious trauma, it offers a timely and compassionate exploration of the path toward healing and wholeness within the context of faith.

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Spreading the Vision of Matthew 25 across the Church

The PC(USA) believes that we are called to serve Jesus by contributing to the well-being of the most vulnerable in all societies – rural and urban, small and large, young and not-so-young. From affordable housing to community gardens to equitable educational and employment opportunities to healing from addiction and mental illness to enacting policy change – there is not just one way to be a part of the Matthew 25 movement.

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