Wrestling with God and Change

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Subject: Wrestling with God and Change

Dear Hot Metal Community,

On Sunday we'll read the story of Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32:22-31). If that's not just the prevailing metaphor for faith in my own life, and I think for many of you, then I don't know what is!

Jacob is at a crossroads in this story - he is running away from one family member (Uncle Laban), and is about to attempt to grovel at another's feet for refuge (Brother Esau). It's almost as if this divine being (God, god, angel, whatever it is), shows up to help Jacob prepare for the interaction to come. By wrestling with God, sustaining a debilitating injury, and exhausting himself, Jacob experiences a sort of humility and desperation he has not yet had to develop in his life. AND by prevailing and enduring he uncovers resilience and strength he maybe didn't know had been present within him all along. Both experiences will be crucial when he encounters Esau and reconciles that broken relationship, and enters fully into the promises God has made to him since before his birth.

Likewise, we at Hot Metal are at the beginning of our time at a crossroads. A pastoral transition feels painful and exhausting, and always uncovers strengths and gifts a community might not have known were present! I hope to spend the next three weeks with you as you remember how to show up and seek refuge with one another and with God. We will continue to wrestle with ancient texts, theology that doesn't fit us, and where we desire to find refuge and reconciliation. We will demand blessings from God during this time that feels overwhelming, and God will see us and love us and bless us, in the struggle and beyond.

Peace,

Pastor Erin

This Week's Song Sheet

MEAL TRAINS

One way we care for our community when we are in need is by offering meals. Please take a look at this opportunity to show up for one another:

The Kendall-Morris Family, as they continue to welcome Tobias Vincent Kendall-Morris into their family! - https://mealtrain.com/zkqo56

Reminder: Congregational Meeting on August 13th

As part of the Presbyterian process for a transitioning pastor, we will have a brief Congregational Meeting on August 13th after worship. Attendance in person or on Zoom is acceptable.

Pastor Erin's Last Sunday - August 20th

All are invited to join us for worship on August 20th for a special liturgy of saying goodbye and godspeed to Pastor Erin, who will also speak blessings to us in this transition. A celebration with food of some sort will take place afterwards for a time of fellowship!

Sanctuary: Art + Honors

BE A KEY SUPPORTER - For millennia, sanctuaries have been places of safe haven for the marginalized and

vilified, and the need for places of refuge only grows as LGBTQIA+ individuals and families are increasingly attacked by political and religious figures and savaged in today’s culture wars. Help us celebrate and thank the places in our communities that have offered refuge and cared for all the beloved, beautiful children of God with your support of Sanctuary: Arts + Honors.

For Key Supporters, each $250 donation provides two tickets to the opening reception and lists their name(s) in the event program. Please save the date for Thursday, September 14 at 7 PM for the opening reception and Sanctuary Award presentation, held at Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community. Pledge your support HERE.

The Calling for the Repair & Reconciliation Alliance and its Support Teams

What are the stories of Black Presbyterian Churches in the Pittsburgh Presbytery? How have we failed as a Presbytery to love them as we love ourselves? How can we heal the breaches with our brothers and sisters in Christ? The Pittsburgh Presbytery created the Repair and Reconciliation Alliance to thoroughly review the historical experiences of these congregations and offer recommendations on actions of repair and reconciliation. Over the next two years, the Repair and Reconciliation Alliance needs various people to begin this task: leaders, researchers, writers, videographers, accountants, and more.

Follow this link for the Calling which gives an overview of the Alliance and Support Teams.

Follow this link for the application for the Alliance and Support Teams.

Attend any or all of the Informational Gatherings listed below by filling out this form:

https://form.jotform.com/pghpresby/repair-and-reconciliation-alliance

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7 to 8:30 PM via Zoom

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 9 to 10:30 AM via Zoom

Sunday, August 13, 3 to 4:30 PM at the Pittsburgh Presbytery

Email Pastor Erin or Darlene Rushing for more information.

The Care Closet Needs Restocking!

We are in need of donations of the following items as we re-stock our Care Closet

Men's Clothing (especially pants)

Toiletries (soap, toothbrush/paste, shampoo, etc)