This is Episode number 2, titled: “The Communal Yes, And…” Discussing Chapters 1 and 2 of the book “Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self, While Caring for Others” by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, our guest host is Ashley Saunders. Ashley brings years of experience in Community Organizing and Advocacy on behalf of Transgender Kids in her community to a conversation on the reality of a life that is both joy and pain. We reflect on the nature of Trauma Stewardship as a lifelong practice that is demanding, yet deeply rewarding.  Ashely offers her reflections on the radical gift of intentionally cultivating joy, even in the midst of trauma.  But this kind of thing can’t happen alone, we need community around us. Concluding with a reflection on John 20:19-29, we find a moment in scripture when the community of disciples found both the very real pain of fear that bound them in the upper room, and the true joy of Christ’s peace in their midst. It matters that in this scene, Jesus still bears the wounds of the world, thus drawing the disciples to meet Him in the wounds of the world around them. This communal “yes, and…” speaks to the nature of a world that is inherently messy, complicated, beautiful, and beloved.  Just like you.

Questions for Discussion: A question of balance... How do you invite joy in your life? How do you hold pain? What wounds of the world/wounds of Christ are you being called to witness to?

We’d like to encourage you to discuss these questions with a conversation partner, whatever you’re comfortable sharing, you’re invited to share your reflections in the comments section of our Muhlenberg Lutheran Facebook page, Instagram @MuhlenbergLC, or on YouTube.  Thank you, for gathering with us today around the Wellspring, we’re looking forward to another episode next week!

Learn more about our congregation online, or by joining us for worship each Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00am Eastern Standard Time, with the 11:00 service streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.  You financial support of the ministry of Muhlenberg makes the many ministries, including digital ones like this, possible for our community.  You can make your gifts online at www.muhlenberglutheran.org/give.