Letting Go,
Letting Be,
Letting Come,
Setting Free
These words were the theme of “A World Unraveling,” an event featuring theologian and author Brian McLaren hosted by the diocese and St Alban’s Church, Cape Elizabeth earlier this month.
The discussion explored these themes, which are also central to McLaren’s latest book “Life After Doom.” He challenged us to explore how we, a largely religiously diverse audience, can navigate together as a community during times of great uncertainty.
While the day focused heavily on great uncertainty of the climate crisis, McLaren’s insight could also speak to the innumerable events happening in our world simultaneously. I invite you to explore two intersecting themes Brian discussed at the event here, together.
The first was early in the day, when McLaren presented an image of St. Andrew’s Church in Covehithe, Suffolk, England. St Andrew’s was built in 1627 within the ruins of a grand 14th century church, to accommodate the downsizing of the community after the local fishing industry died out.
And yet, this smaller, 17th century structure was home to a worshipping community for several centuries. Last year, England’s Churches Conservation Trust closed the parish doors for good. McLaren cited the growing concerns and reality that due to alarming annual sea-level rise, the church structure and surrounding town could soon fall into the North Sea.
This very real scenario spoke to me deeply and represents a metaphor for the wellbeing of the church when we ask ourselves: “What are we doing as a church in this moment?” “How do we remain present in this moment?”
It is questions like this that are hard to conceptualize and even more difficult to answer ourselves during this moment of multifaceted crises in our world. One very real example and the second theme and take away from the event is that we face daily in our pews and parishes here in Maine is how we meet young adult parishioners where they are and support the ministries they are passionate about.
Personally, this looks like a multigenerational Episcopal response to climate change here at home. Time and time again we talk about parishioners who fit in the very loose term of the “young adults” being the future of the church and that we/they will eventually solve this complex issue. McLaren challenged us to think what could the church look like if we meet young adults and children where they already are. This comes at a time where the church has been coming to grips with rapid decline of new parishioners and the relevancy of its societal existence. I invite us to explore another question prayerfully together. How do our parishes and dioceses meet/show up for young adults right now that are yearning to find the beauty and comfort of God in times of turmoil like climate change?
These and other questions are part of a great paradigmal shift conversation that cannot be held in an echo chamber. I believe our communities and wider Episcopal church are beautiful places to start. In the few years before becoming an Episcopalian, I was exposed to our churchwide initiatives surrounding creation care while attending the UN Climate Conference of COP25 in Madrid, Spain in December 2019 with the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP). This experience helped lead me to find a home within the Episcopal church.
As you look to take part in spiritually led solutions to the climate crisis, I invite you to keep your eyes peeled for an exciting new network my fellow CCOP peers and I are building called the Narya Communion. Narya intends to be a home in the wilderness for those who want to remain in faith-based activism (including climate activism), remain in or out of traditional religion settings, and are ready to take a bolder, more prophetic stance in this age. If you would like to learn more, please sign up for our newsletter or Substack.
This poem was inspired by McLaren’s words.
Letting Go,
Letting Be,
Letting Come,
Setting Free,
What will it take to think differently?
Something that is beyond what we can imagine
Where a new but sacred world is born
Devoid of unnecessary pain
Devoid of avoidable loss
Heaven in mortal existence and flesh
Letting Go, of our systems that oppress us all
Letting Be, our fears of our unpredictable future
Letting Come, communal multigenerational equitable solutions
Setting Free, our expectations of multidimensional solutions
— Shana M. Rose
Shana M. Rose is a member of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, an educator, and sustainability podcaster.