Hard Times
Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter;
whoever finds one has found a treasure.
Faithful friends are beyond price;
no amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine,
and those who fear the Lord will find them. Sirach 6:14-16
Many of us are deeply troubled by the erosion of democracy, decency and safety which we have been experiencing in this country over the past year. Drastic changes in longstanding practices, policies and institutions set off alarm bells within hours of the current administration’s inauguration last January. Panic set in as we wondered how best to respond, and how we might make a difference in resisting the assault, defending our neighbors and our rights, and finding ways to keep from falling prey to despondency and depression.
Early on, I received an invitation from a friend to join a group of like-minded souls to read and discuss the book, On Tyranny, by Timothy Snyder, and talk about how we were coping personally and what we might be able to do to make a difference. The book was a good starting point for these conversations, demonstrating the many frightening parallels between the rise of Nazi Germany and the present, and providing guidance on how to respond.
The group is small, comprised of only 7 people, two of whom I had not met before and one of whom I did not know well. While we share a common perspective in the global sense, there is enough diversity in our backgrounds and ways of processing the world that we each bring something unique to the gathering. We initially agreed to meet once a month, reading a few chapters of the book in preparation for each meeting, and when we finished the book, we decided we would continue meeting monthly, and discuss an article, a film, a book or another resource that would be determined in advance. Any of us is welcome to suggest the topic or material to be discussed, and for several of these sessions we followed trainings from organizations which provided resources, led us through processes to follow and provided information on national campaigns we could choose to participate in. At each meeting, we share the activities we’ve been engaging in in service of resisting tyranny and promoting democracy as well as providing an update on how we’re doing personally. While we initially thought of this as a book discussion group, our concept broadened, and we have now dubbed ourselves the “Convo Group,” for conversation and convocation.
There were times in the months that followed the initial book discussions when I wondered whether this gathering was something I found compelling enough to continue. But I started to notice that even when I had to push myself to attend a meeting, I would come home feeling energized. It wasn’t necessarily anything that anyone said or anything we read or viewed or talked about; what it came down to, I had to conclude, was the fellowship. This wasn’t a group comprised of my closest friends, but it didn’t have to be. There was something about being together for a couple of hours sharing our thoughts that created an energy greater than the individuals who were gathered. In times like these, there are many things we need to do, and no one can do them all. We each have to discern what we are called to do and trust that others will take up the work that they are better suited to do. As individuals, we are powerless; but when we act together as a community, we can make a difference. And beyond that, we can support each other to give ourselves the strength to keep on keeping on, even when it feels like we’re on a Sisyphean mission. That’s why I continue to come- and look forward to- these monthly gatherings, and it’s why I come to Edwards Church on Sunday mornings when I’m able.
Communal God, thank you for like-minded souls with diverse histories and perspectives. Thank you for the strength of neighbors gathering in community when hard times come. Amen
–Willie Sordillo