Dear Hot Metal Family,

This week we'll once again gather via Zoom as a community. I know that this journey of quarantine has been long and hard, and we give thanks for signs that our efforts are working to control the spread of the virus, and we mourn the ways in which so many are impacted in so many ways. And we continue on the path set before us.

This week's Gospel story is from Luke 24:13-35, the story popularly known as "The Road to Emmaus." Two disciples find themselves on a journey that they started in grief, uncertain of where to go in the wake of Jesus' death. They didn't even really believe the first whispers of resurrection. But Jesus meets them on the road, in the midst of their grief and doubt and uncertainty. And even though they don't recognize him right away, he journeys and engages with them.

I'm thankful for this story this week as a reminder that God is with us even if we don't feel or recognize God's presence. Even if we're overwhelmed with all the other things going on around us, the Risen One walks with us. May we hold this story with us as we continue this strange journey.

In Christ's peace,
Pastor Erin

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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