From Luther House:
One of the profound truths of ministry is that the most meaningful moments are often unplanned. While careful preparation is essential, there are times when our plans must give way so that the Holy Spirit may move more freely among us. This semester, we experienced one such evening, an evening that was both deeply sorrowful and profoundly sacred. As we gathered around the table, sharing a meal and checking in with one another, it quickly became clear that the liturgy I had prepared would not be sufficient for what was unfolding among us.
A student began by expressing deep anger and grief over injustices he had been witnessing in the news. As a Hispanic student, he spoke through tears about the pain of feeling unseen and undervalued in a society that too often overlooks the suffering of people of color. He questioned the response of the media over the shooting of Renee Good when hundreds of people of color have been killed and injured by ICE. His lament opened the door for others to share their own fears and experiences.
An international student spoke quietly about the limitations he has placed on his own life, going only to work, class, and church, out of fear of encountering immigration authorities. He shared the grief of missing out on the fullness of his college experience in order to feel safe. Another international student, overcome with emotion and sobbing, recounted being stopped by an unmarked vehicle earlier in the week, describing the fear and uncertainty he still carries from that encounter.
What followed was not a polished program, but something far more meaningful. Together, we wept, prayed, lamented, and listened. We held space for one another’s pain without trying to resolve it. It was a holy moment, raw, honest, and deeply communal. We left that evening without easy answers, but with the assurance that no one had to carry their burdens alone.