Enough Trouble

• Rachael Pryor
• January 31, 2025

As I travel the highways and valleys of this beautiful Conference, I often describe my basic driving safety strategy as “not going faster than the car in front of me.” This dry humor has evolved into a metaphor for daily life in my role as Conference Minister. Dreaming about the possibilities for the future can be energizing; but when we’re overwhelmed by the present moment, the future can feel like more of a burden than an opportunity. I often find myself worrying about whether we are doing enough, especially because I’m so inspired by our capacity as a Conference, and in our Associations and Local Churches. “We should be doing more,” plays in the back of my mind like a broken record.

What I say to you is also a reminder to myself: we are doing enough. We are doing what we can. We are working hard, every day, to serve more people, to seek more justice, and to love our neighbors.  We are doing this work with partners from diverse faith and non-profit communities at our sides and often out in front of us. That doesn’t mean we don’t keep learning and growing; but it might mean that we agree to set reasonable goals and give ourselves grace. “Stop worrying about tomorrow,” Jesus told the disciples, “because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:34 CEB)

I suspect many of us are feeling the truth of that last sentence very keenly in this moment. Thanks be to God for the prophetic statements being shared by clergy and activists, including this letter on freedom to express our faith, by our own General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson. A bold, clear witness is crucial in this moment, even if these are so often statements we’ve already made over and over.

In our Conference, that witness is a continuation of the Just World Covenants we’ve already made. We don’t all have to issue daily statements. We don’t have to respond to every hateful quip or executive order. Instead, let our ministry be our statement, as your ministries have been for me in the past weeks: the queer clergy support cohorts you lead, the workshops you’ve attended on protective strategies for dealing with ICE, the wildfire aid efforts you’re coordinating with BIPOC communities and families; the neighbors you feed and the camp session you are planning and the anthems of love and peace you are singing in the face of fear and hatred! Prophetic witness doesn’t just happen in Statehouse and on the street; it’s also present in the way our Committees on Ministry supports transgender clergy and Members in Discernment; and in the way our Conference Board prioritizes grant opportunities.

I don’t think I have to tell you about the danger of trying to do too much, too fast: we crash.  We run on empty tanks until we stall out. As people who tend to worry that we are moving too slowly, we also need to be attentive to opportunities to rest. To refuel. Sometimes, to make more room to learn and listen before we act.  If nothing else, our wildfire emergency response has taught me that there can be such a thing as too much help. Instead of rushing in, let’s take a breath. Let’s make a plan. We’re not in this work alone, and we don’t have to do it all.  We are enough for this moment, and we will keep hope alive, one day at a time.

Join in for a Sanctuary & Rapid Response Training! The Biden administration had instituted a policy prohibiting immigration arrests at “sensitive locations,” including schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

Trump has repealed that policy through one of his executive orders, but the history of sanctuary is much deeper than this Biden-era policy. Many CLUE-affiliated congregations remain interested in offering sanctuary to those who seek it. This training is geared towards these congregations.

RSVP at: bit.ly/cluesanctuary

As a part of the programming for Black History Month, the Gailen and Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment, Inc. and Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ are hosting a Virtual Health Equity Presentation on “The Potential Impact on CA Health Care Under the Trump Administration.” Join Dr. Dylan Roby, Chair and Professor of Health, Society and Human Behavior at UCI for an informational conversation. The event will be held on Sunday February 16 from 2:00-3:00PM PT. Registration is required.

Do you have a heart for extending emotional and spiritual care to the spiritual caregivers who are serving in disaster-affected communities? The UCC’s Emotional and Spiritual Care Team is a program of Disaster Ministries. We support spiritual caregivers serving at the local church, association, and conference levels, as they provide pastoral care to their impacted communities. Disaster Ministries is looking to amplify this ministry. To that end, they are inviting applicants to be a part of this important ministry. They welcome trained pastoral care providers, parish nurses, counselors, chaplains, clergy, and others feeling the call to disaster emotional and spiritual care to apply for this volunteer position.

Winter Camp at The Pines offers a special opportunity for our campers to take a break from their busy lives and recharge. At Winter Camp, participants will have the chance to get creative in the craft lodge, play games with friends, laugh, sing, dance, and indulge in tasty s’mores! This year’s theme focuses on the idea of belonging. What does it mean to truly belong? How can we help others feel supported and included?

Winter Camp creates a welcoming community where everyone can experience a sense of belonging, have fun, and enjoy the mountain’s joyful atmosphere. Plentiful camperships are available, but time is running short! Registration closes Feb. 8.

Interfaith Youth Alliance invites all high school students (grades 9–12) to join the 18th Annual Faith Forum and Festival, bringing together more than 150 students from diverse faiths and backgrounds to engage in meaningful dialogue. The Faith Forum fosters conversations on shared topics among individuals with differing perspectives and experiences. Through this dialogue, they aim to build constructive relationships that positively impact our communities and places of worship. More information can be found here.

Over and over again, the Bible tells of prophets who confronted rulers and the rich with an eye toward justice. Today, the ultra-rich hold enormous political power in the United States, and the implications are significant, especially when it comes to the pursuit of climate justice.

Register to attend this webinar on February 12 at 10:00AM PST, or receive a link of the recorded program to watch at your convenience: bit.ly/OligarchyWebinar

For the third straight year, the UCC is conducting a Climate Hope Art Contest. The theme this year is “Planting Seeds of Hope.” UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. Art submissions will be accepted from February 2 to March 14. An online award ceremony for finalists will be held on April 5. In the ceremony, winners will be announced for different age groups and an overall winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian. The winner will advocate with the offices of their congress members, tour the Capitol, and learn how they can bring their faith values to life in the halls of power. The winning art will additionally serve as the logo for UCC Climate Hope advocacy work throughout 2025. More information can be found here.

Why take an unnecessary risk? Join expert Christy Schiller on Tuesday, February 25 for United Church of Christ Insurance Board’s webinar ‘Safe Conduct 2025: New Research and Best Practices.’ Learn about the current landscape of safe conduct practices and abuse prevention, including new research, ongoing challenges, and best practices to protect our ministries.

Christy brings more than 20 years of industry experience to this program, applying social science and public health strategies to prevent abuse and its long-term effects. In her role at Praesidium, Christy has developed customized solutions for complex organizations such as religious

institutes and denominations, fraternal

organizations, K12 schools, and healthcare

systems. She has worked with clients globally. Click here for more information.