Through the Dust
Beginning, still.
Through the Dust. Or maybe, through the ashes.
These are the Greek roots of our word Deacon. δια(dia) — Through. Κονις(konis) — Dust (or ashes, or figuratively, the multitudes)1.
And this word, and the role, are powerful. I recognize that for most, if they know the word at all, know it only to mean, roughly, “assistant”. But in the faith tradition I’ve joined, Lutherans who see through the lens of Love, I learn that Deacons are fully ministers of The Word. Deacons are the Bridge: church and community. Deacons are the hands and feet of The Divine. I feel called to this path. The bridge, through the dust, to a joyful future.
And I am learning so much! When I started this faith journey in earnest less than one year ago, I assumed I would work toward becoming a pastor. But . . .
I never wanted a church.
I am a faith leader. But my home is the world. My church has no walls. My church travels in conversation and work and Love.
This is not to say that I don’t love the people I’ve met along this journey and the people I serve. But leading a congregation . . . that is not my goal. That was never my goal.
As a teacher, I sat in the circle. For years I guided from a place among, not above. And it was the students who were powerful. I saw so much power. I see so much power in our youth still.
As a faith leader, I expect to do the same – ritual gatherings taking place in community spaces, open for all — a circle in song, in Spirit, in word. Prayer in action. Joyful awe shared.
Don’t believe in God? So what? Or Question and doubt? We should question and doubt! Our wondering makes us stronger! Worship through a different faith? Beautiful. We are all so delightfully different! How dull it would be if we all came to the table, exactly the same. Come join us as we sing, share, and begin the work to make this world into heaven, all with all.
I am guided by the radical love of Jesus, the uplifter of the outcast, the flipper of tables built on our daily greeds that leave no room for Love – but if you hold a different guide in your heart, please know that the only test is whether we, each of us, see through the lens of Love. That lens, Love, is so filled with welcome and joy and awe.
And ultimately, I can’t put too much weight on titles. Deaconess? Yes, likely. Pastor? Maybe. But you can always just call me Sister Vica and we can stand up, all of us, and, raising our heads, observe the needs of this world. We can hitch up our skirts and roll up our sleeves and do the work.
From my limited knowledge of Greek.