Logan Shamberger

Our rector wrote this article for the local newspaper. It is such a timely message and an important reminder: kindness is next to holiness.

Today is a good day to pray for our nation, the people who are scared for their lives, those protesting injustice and oppression, those who take pleasure and joy in the suffering of others, and for the apathetic. May we all be converted to the way of love, tolerance, and service to another.

Today is the Feast of St. Photini, the Samaritan woman at the well from the Gospel. I received this icon of her that my former neighbor growing up and current church buddy wrote when I was received into the Episcopal Church.

Take some action!

☎️ Sample script:
"My name is <name>, and I am from <place>. I am calling to say that I did not vote for Elon Musk and do not consent to him interfering with the distribution of funds appropriated by Congress. I am asking you to follow the Constitution and prevent further chaos for West Virginians."

YouTube video by REV16665Music ♫ Choir of St Paul's Cathedral (Scott): Stewart, Psalm 23 ♪

Anglican chant is such a rich tapestry of emotions. The first time I went an Episcopal church, I was amazed that the congregation sang an entire psalm with it. It can go from epic and grand to calm and soothing like this.

I'd love to do an Evensong in this style one day.

- Often, when I hear my anger spoken out loud, it snaps me out of it because I hear how it sounds

- Even if I can't snap out of it, the act of praying about it gives it to my Higher Power to help me handle it. I don't have to walk with it alone at that point.

The Scriptures contain imprecatory psalms (psalms that ask for vengeance). Whether they should be prayed is a matter of debate.

I'm of the opinion that the Psalms are expressions of emotion to God. It sometimes helps to put your anger out there in prayer. The effect for me is twofold:

You can be equanimous and have boundaries.

You can reset relationships with people, places, and things that do not respect or share your values and not feel guilty about it.

Your mental, spiritual, and emotional health are real and not served by being fed with gaslighting, abuse, and nastiness.

I'm going to keep working at being a good person. I will continue walking the path I'm on. I'll continue to work at being of more help to others. It is realistically the only real thing that is truly in my power to do.

And maybe by us all working to be a little better, the world will follow. 6/6

I'm not indulging conspiracy theories, far right propaganda, or hate speech on my page or posts. Some platforms may be getting more permissive on that, but I'm finally appreciating that I was raised better than to tolerate nonsense. 5/6

I will try to treat everyone as human beings with inherent dignity. Someone's inability to see my humanity and dignity doesn't absolve me from my responsibility to see theirs. 4/6

How the high level problem gets solved, I don't know. That is a collective effort. I do have an inkling as to the day to day for me: 3/6

The people who voted for this aren't singularly responsible for the evil that is taking place. Being angry with them and fighting with them doesn't solve a thing. It takes the focus off the problem: a government run by people who see their own fellow citizens as the enemy. 2/6

One of the things I have had to learn is to separate my feelings about the Republican administrations at the state and national level from the people who voted for them. 🧵 1/6

For whoever needs to hear it: a drink or drug will not make the world as it is more bearable. It will just add more problems to the slate.

All shall be well. Talk to someone, lean into support, and stay sober.

Love is the way. It confounds darkness at every turn.

Let's sow it our communities so that it may bear fruit.

Anything a person does can be undone. Any wall can be destroyed. Stay alive and get through this - there’s a lot of work to do.

I am grateful that I found the Episcopal Church. The Book of Common Prayer is a rich treasury of spiritual vocabulary for all occasions, including national anxiety.

Those who bemoan the lack of God in our society seek to ban DEI because they can't bear to see the Imago Dei (the image of God) in those they seek to oppress. Think about that.

More and more, I realize that change can only begin when I stop entertaining toxic and destructive ideas as serious propositions.

Sometimes nonsense is just nonsense.

The places that welcome you aren't necessarily the places that are good for you. I've been welcomed into places that were not good for my well-being.

Today, I check vibes and ask myself, "Will this help me grow/continue to grow in a non-destructive way?"

I love when a coffee shop starts to become a pillar of the community. Coffee Tree Roasters in Morgantown, WV

I no longer subscribe to the idea that hatred, fear, and meanness are acceptable responses to the world. I still fall into them, but that doesn't mean I am right when I do.

I can associate with that which brings those out or that which brings out their opposite. The latter is how I can grow.

When I right-sized my perception of the importance of my presence, I gained the freedom and permission (from myself) to be where I can grow, nurture my values, and become who I am meant to be.

Take some time today and think about all the people you can name and all the ones who can't who loved you along the way and into being. Hold some space for gratitude for them in your heart.

"I am, and I have value, because I am seen by and engaged with love" - Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury

Happy Festivus everyone. Always amazed this crazy episode birthed a real celebration that seems to be enjoyed by so many around the world. So may your feats be strong and your grievances few. Enjoy.