10/22/2025
This coming Sunday at 9:00 AM we are going to be launching a new small group / community devotional based on Dr. Hanna Reichel’s 2025 publication, “For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional.”
During one of our sessions in Boulder, the facilitator asked folks to throw out some words that described the way they were feeling as church leaders right now. A sad melody of words were thrown out:
“worn-thin.” “angry.” “confused.” “fragile.” “fearful.” “heart-broken.”
Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you are feeling the same. And the question is - how do we stay healthy, whole, steady, and supported during such turbulent political times. How does our faith help us to lean into such a time as this with courage and hope?
Hanna Reichel, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, delves into all the upheaval with reflections that are rooted in scripture, historical wisdom, and the core commitments of Christian faith. The devotional is split into four parts with 7 reflections for each part. You could work through the 28 reflections in a month by reading one per day - but we will meet once per month to discuss each part of the book. Our first gathering this Sunday will be to introduce the devotional and discuss the following questions for reflection:
What are you feeling? How is it with your Soul? Where is the heaviness? Where is the joy? What are the sources of anxiety / hope?
What do you hope to get out of this community devotional practice? How do you hope to feel or act differently?
What is your prayer for this moment? What prayer is the one on your heart?
If you can’t join us on Sunday morning, perhaps you can take 30 minutes next week to sit with these questions, reflecting on them, and writing down or journaling your responses. No need to have the book on hand this Sunday, but try to get a copy by the end of next week. Our next in-person meeting will be on Sunday, November 9 focusing on Part 1 of the book.
