Dear Our Redeemers friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that I will be leaving the Social Justice Coordinator position. I had anticipated a longer time with you all, but significant family needs are limiting my capacity to focus and do all that is needed to support your many service and social justice ministries. My last day with you will be July 10.

I have treasured relationships with you, even as some were just emerging. I have loved cooking, recycling, advocating, discerning, meeting, worshipping, auctioning, learning, sorting clothes, making LWR kits, mourning and celebrating together! I have appreciated your warmth, welcome, and the stories you have shared about what brings life and hope in your social justice commitments. I have learned a lot from you about sustaining community.

Together we have lifted up the urgency of racial and indigenous justice, voting rights, and gender justice. We have assembled kits and created beautiful quilts for refugees and people experiencing disasters around the world. Our parking lot and Fellowship Hall have sheltered numerous people who would have otherwise been unsafe on the streets. We have recycled electronics and styrofoam and given gently-used clothes new life. We are developing new earth care and school tutoring plans. And we have shared warm meals, warm hats, and warm sleeping bags with many in Ballard. I hope you rejoice in all you have done!

There is a story from Jewish mysticism about the creation of the world. God inhaled a portion of their holy presence in order to create room for the earth and universe, then blew part of their divine Self into ten vessels. These vessels were too fragile to hold all that grace and love and so broke into millions of pieces. As human beings and as creation, we hold those shards of light. Our call is to gather them together to recreate the fullness of Holy presence and love. I have experienced you and Our Redeemer’s as these shards of light gathering together. Thank you!

I hope our relationships will continue in some form. I intend to return for the racial justice book discussions in August and for occasional Ballard Sunday Dinner preparation. No doubt I will find Styrofoam to recycle with you! And, in my part-time role with the Faith Action Network, I will continue to reach out to the Social Justice Team to share opportunities for joining other faith communities in raising your voices for justice.

I trust that you all, as strong, creative lay leaders and committed, inspired staff will sustain your deep and inspired commitments to service and social justice, and pray God sends you timely support in this Holy work.

With much love,
Elizabeth