Dear Hot Metal Family,

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally "Good Shepherd Sunday," where the Gospel text is a section of John 10 - Jesus' meditation on being the Good Shepherd. This year we read verses 1-10, where Jesus not only compares himself to a shepherd, but also to the gate of the sheep-pen. He is not only the voice that calls and calms the sheep, but the very place where the sheep are kept safe.

Almost 50 days into quarantine, perhaps you are feeling like we need to knock the gate down and get out of the place where we've been confined for what feels like far too long. I know many are prepared to forsake safety in exchange for the appearance of normalcy. And yet, the voice of the Good Shepherd calls us to something different. Perhaps in this moment we are called to care for the good of the whole flock, all the people whom God loves. So we advocate for policies and practices that ensure "life abundant," not just for ourselves but for all who are struggling and vulnerable during this time. We continue to do what we can to make sure people are nourished and safe, knowing that is what God the Good Shepherd is doing.

I hope to see you on Zoom on Sunday, or to be connected in other ways throughout these coming weeks. I know it is feeling long and hard. But we are in it together, as separate as we may be, and continue to trust God who overcomes all sorts of boundaries to bring us into beloved community.

Peace,
Pastor Erin

Discussion Group on "Unlocking Us" (A Podcast by Brene Brown) facebook.com/events/665710927538299

Many of us are using this time to read more or learn more or listen more. If that's you, or you would like it to be, join with your fellow Hot Metal-ers for a discussion group around themes of vulnerability, emotions, connection, and more, inspired by the new podcast by Brene Brown. This group will meet on Thursdays, starting on April 30, at 8pm, via Zoom. The group will be facilitated by Hot Metal's Mental Health Therapist, Autumn Brownlee. But don't worry, you won't have to talk about your own feelings if you don't want to!

Brene Brown is a sociologist and researcher who has spent decades studying the connections between shame, vulnerability, and courage. She gained popularity and notoriety through her 2012 TedTalk, "The Power of Vulnerability," and has written a number of books. However, you do not have to have prior exposure to her work to enjoy and learn from the podcast, and to participate in the discussion group! "Unlocking Us" is available wherever you get your podcasts. The group will not discuss all the episodes already released, so stay tuned for episode selections and for the Zoom link! If you have any questions, contact Autumn or Pastor Erin.

Contemplative Book Club //

If you are looking for something to occupy your time with please consider joining the contemplative book club! The group will meet semi-regularly with anyone who is interested to read through and discuss some contemplative or mystic writings from the Christian tradition. This would be a time to discuss the book, to discuss the impact that it has on our lives, and to spend time in intentional silence and prayer together in the contemplative tradition. The hope is for the group to be a space of peace and calm for those of us feeling deeply unsettled and uprooted by the collective trauma of the pandemic we are experiencing together. Contemplation offers us a way of learning to experience the love of God directly and helping us find grounding and direction in uncertain times. For a brief introduction to contemplation please see: https://cac.org/the-christian-contemplative-tradition-2018-09-16/

Sunday Zoom Meeting // 10:30am:

Password: 031714

Wednesday Zoom Meeting // 10:30am: 
https://zoom.us/j/685174111

Password: 000513

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