In These Days of Loss

“That which needs healing must not be hidden from God.” 

These are the words a monk shared with me a few years ago as I began my silent retreat at Abbey of Gethsemane. In these days of much loss, grief, and disappointment, I offer them to you.

And I offer these words for contemplation and honest hope (inspired by a poem written by Dag Hammarskjold):

The road,
We shall follow it.
The playfulness, 
We shall rediscover it.
The cup,
We shall drink from it.
The pain,
We shall reveal it.
The hope,
We shall hold onto it.
The joy, 
We shall recover it.
The love,
We shall not forget it.
The road,
We shall endure it.
Together.

About Fred

Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience. Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas. Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
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3 Responses to In These Days of Loss

  1. thayer cory says:

    The words of contemplation are so moving and are just what I need right now. I’m going to send it to many friends and family members. Can I attribute it to you?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fred says:

      Thanks for sharing. And yes, feel free. But please mention that I was inspired by a similar poem written by Dag Hammarskjold. I am deserving of credit for originality. Grace and peace!

      Like

  2. bishopdfaith says:

    This is great; I will utilize this on the prayer-line Thursday morning!

    Thanks,

        Dave

    Liked by 1 person

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