​Fearless Faith Revival, SEASON OF COURAGE: Here I Am, LORD

Members of Incarnation attended the Fearless Faith Revival and visited the SEASON OF COURAGE exhibit.

The Commission on the Environment and Commission for Intercultural Ministries hosted an exhibit to draw attention to the need for courage as we strive to fulfill our Baptismal promises to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. The 40-foot diameter exhibit space was erected on the freshly mowed dry grass in the field at St. John’s, Roseville.

The Season of Courage exhibit highlighted 15 stories from Clergy and Laity in the diocese, each story speaking to courage in service to building the beloved community and caring for the environment. The stories came from small and large congregations, as well as from Bishop Megan. Church of the Incarnation was one of the churches that was highlighted in the exhibit.To read the stories, please visit the Season of Courage: Here I Am, Lord webpage at https://www.norcalepiscopal.org/site/Commission-on-Intercultural-Ministries/#seasonofcourage

There was also an opportunity to pray for courage, and to write the prayer on a “leaf” and place it on the live Prayer Tree. Many people wrote prayers! Bishop Megan blessed the prayers on Saturday evening at the Revival and Father Cliff Haggenjos blessed them at the St. John’s worship services on Sunday morning.

WE KNOW THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS!

Many visitors to the exhibit (sacred space) shared their feelings about the experience as they immersed themselves in the stories. Here is what they said:

• The exhibit sparked ideas of what they can do at their congregations and in their communities.
• The semi-circular shape of the exhibit provided peace and solace of being embraced by God’s loving arms as they engaged with the stories and paused to pray at the tree.
• “I felt it was a serene and holy space featuring God’s people doing courageous and holy work. The green Prayer Tree sprouting up from the dry field of grass felt like an oasis holding the prayers of the people.”
• The courage display was incredibly moving and their favorite part of the revival.
• “I read these big words like build the beloved community, repair the breach, heal the planet and wonder what I can do with these big word efforts. As I read the stories, I said to myself, I know that person. I can do what they did! Now, I have confidence that I’ll find my part in this work.”
• Several congregations expressed interest in hosting the exhibit to bring these stories of courage to their churches. The first congregation to host the Season of Courage exhibit will be Church of St. Martin in Davis on Pentecost.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to express the love of God in our communities, to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is a big call! And it takes courage to answer the call! Ask for it and God will grant you the courage to act.

In scripture God says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you where you go.”Joshua 1:9

In a prayer at the close of worship we ask God to send us out into the world with love and courage:

“Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

One person prayed:

“Praying that we see all the opportunities to do something courageous and trust that the Holy Spirit will support and strengthen us.”

For more information about the Season of Courage or the exhibit, please contact Miriam Casey, [email protected] or Bob Wohlsen, [email protected].