Lent: day 24

I find hope in the wilderness when I'm so tired even my bones are crying but my feet keep moving forward.

Rev. Beth Waltemath
Associate Pastor
First Presbyterian Church Brooklyn

Lent: day 23

I find hope in the wilderness.... one step at a time.

The wilderness of discrimination and prejudice can seem like a place of endless despair. The only way I can journey through that wilderness is to hold onto my faith in God, the hand of my brother and sister, and take it one step at a time. The journey toward ordination for our GLBTQ members has felt like a journey through the wilderness and I only began the journey 14 years ago! The disappointment at General Assembly after General Assembly is difficult to bear. But in those moments I have found that there is a community of grace and love holding one another, bearing one another's burden, helping each one to stand and take another step. Those who have been working for ordination far longer than I are a pillar of fire that lead and inspire us to persevere.

But the greatest source of hope I find in the wilderness is in the eyes of those who are waiting for the church to change. One of those people is my brother. My brothers and I grew up in a conservative Presbyterian home where homosexuality was condemned and often made fun of. This became even more so when my brother told our parents that he was gay. The way to deal with his news was to use Scripture as a weapon and to ridicule homosexuality while pushing him to date girls. He was never supposed to talk about it or say anything to his brothers and me.

Imagine my brother's surprise when he learned that my husband and I were supportive of the gay community and supported the work of groups like MLP, The Witherspoon Society, and Presbyterian Welcome. It was if my brother had found an oasis in the wilderness. He told me his story of rejection by our parents. He introduced me to his partner of more than 20 years, who until then was never seen or spoken of. He shared with me the pain of feeling not completely welcome in the Church - even in congregations that say they support ordination of gays, but because of the Book of Order they refuse to ordain. He talked about how much he hoped for a day when he could feel unconditionally loved in the Church. Even as I saw his hope, I became a source of hope for him that one day the Presbyterian church would understand and change. God's restorative love touched us as we grew into a new understanding of one another; our relationship renewed. The hope in his eyes, mixed with pain, speaks volumes and has encouraged me to keep on, one step at a time, teaching, encouraging and supporting until that day when all may freely serve! May it be soon, gracious God, may it be soon

The Rev. Sue Trigger
co-pastor First Presbyterian Church
Rockaway, NJ

Lent: day 22

I find hope in the wilderness when I realize that every step of the journey I am accompanied by a great cloud of witnesses, all of whom have walked this road before. They know what provisions we need. They teach me songs to sing at night when sitting before the flickering flames. They hold me when I am overwhelmed by fear, and the fear is vanquished.

Rev. Patricia J. Raube
Designated Pastor
Union Presbyterian Church
Endicott, NY

Lent: day 21

I find hope in the wilderness when I notice tracks in my path that remind me that though I may feel alone in the wilderness, I am anything but...

The Rev. Sarah McCaslin, M.Div., LMSW
Associate Pastor for Congregational Care and Mission
The First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York

Lent: day 20

What gets you through the wilderness?
"The lingering exhilaration of the transfiguring mountaintop, the shimmering hope of Easter."

Skip Dunford

Lent: day 19

I find hope in the wilderness when I can be close to water. It connects me to the Biblical days--all the Bible stories about water, and to baptism.

Dermonte Alleyne
Facilities Manager, Rutgers Presbyterian Church

Lent: day 18

I find hope in the wilderness when, in the middle of yet another freaking growth opportunity (with a different head of hair), I remember that, even though I may have entered the wilderness by myself, I am not alone, and will need the help of others to get out, if, I am willing to ask for help, and open to receive it when it presents itself.

Elder Jeremiah