Roots of Resilience

Will the uncertainty and chaos of this moment lead us to hunkering down and focusing on our individual survival, or will we remember the roots of our resilience that lead to our collective survival? Rev. Gretchen offers this homily reflecting on this moment and the call of our faith for collective liberation where all means ALL.

We all have stories of challenge and sacrifice, loss and struggle. Stories that we can draw on to help guide us through the challenges we face today. Foothills members share some of their personal stories and reflections. Rev. Kristen then draws out some of the themes she hears, before turning to a conversation our Director of Family Ministry recently had with young adults who grew up at Foothills. Featuring Foothills members Kirsten Hartman and Ed Meek, Marla Nelson, Tom Inscho, Tim Clouse, and Pam Webber, and young adults (forever Foothills community members!) Jason Latta, Brynna Herbener, Alex Undy and Sami Scovel.

In this short homily, Rev. Gretchen reflects on the question of sacrifice, and the power of choosing to give something up so that we don’t have to give up everything. “Without trusted leadership at a national or global level, we can still remember and remain faithful to this fundamental commitment of our faith - the promises we have made to the love that flows within each of us, among all of us, and that calls us beyond ourselves. The promises for who we will be, and what we will give, and why. The duty we have to those who came before, and those who will come next. We can listen and remember the roots of resilience found in our steadfast willingness to do the hard thing, to give up and to let go and to sacrifice - with joy, and gratitude.” - Rev. Gretchen Haley

Rev. Sean continues our series, Roots of Resilience, with this reflection on encountering risk.

We have some misconceptions about resilience that we need to break down as we begin this month's series. Rev. Gretchen shares about what resilience is, and isn't - using 3 dog photos!

We are living in an unprecedented time. Or, are we? Rev. Gretchen reflects on our collective roots of resilience in part 1 of this homily.