The Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace and the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis pass the mic even as they pass along their shared wisdom
by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
The Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly, the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace and the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, teamed up to deliver the homily Monday during ecumenical worship at the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. (Photo by Rich Copley/Presbyterian Mission Agency)
LOUISVILLE — Batting leadoff during Monday’s ecumenical worship at the 67th Commission on the Status of Women, prominent Presbyterians preached a message of hope and inclusion to those gathered in person at the Church Center for the United Nations and to those participating in worship online.
Taking turns to offer a homily together, the Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly (2022), the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis and the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace shared their thoughts on Mark 4:35-41, the story of Jesus stilling the storm. Watch a video of the Co-Moderators’ homily here.
Starling-Louis is pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Santana-Grace is executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Monday’s service was put on by Presbyterian Women and the PC(USA) delegation to #CSW67.
“As Jesus encounters the violence of the waves and the windstorm, maybe we can relate to what the disciples are going through,” Santana-Grace said of the day’s scriptural selection. She described the disciples aboard that ship as “human beings following this extraordinary leader who seems to lead with a sense of urgency, like he’s running out of time.”
Maybe the disciples thought the boat would offer them “a moment of respite, but there would be no respite,” Santana-Grace said. “Windstorms continue to define and limit who we are called to be. It is an image of powerlessness that is not of God.”
Starling-Louis said the effects of the constant pounding of storm waves “can be how the work of advocacy feels sometimes.” But fortunately for people of faith, “we remember the one who can rearrange any situation, any storm.”
Throughout the great suffering wreaked by the recent series of pandemics, “our collective vessel has taken a whack, amen?” Starling-Louis said. But “stay encouraged,” because “this collective vessel is a sturdy vessel.” On top of that, “the one who came to set the captives free is with us.” As we do the work that’s required of us — do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God — “we are doing holy work, beloved community,” Starling-Louis said.
The work of gender justice “is right and good,” Starling-Louis said, adding, to applause from those in the chapel, “it’s a non-negotiable, vital part of peace in the world.”
Worshipers during the first ecumenical service offered as part of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women listen to the Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly deliver their homily. (Photo by Rich Copley/Presbyterian Mission Agency)
“We trust in the power of Jesus, who walked through suffering and sacrifice once and for all,” Starling-Louis said, adding that those gathered can “build on the faith” of many biblical heroes, including Ruth, Esther, Rahab, Deborah, “Mary, Mary and that other Mary, too,” and “many others whose names are not listed but are deeply known by God.”
“Take a deep breath. Let’s do that,” Starling-Louis suggested, for “you can take a deep breath of the Holy Spirit at any time. When the waves fall on you, take a sip of water and remember your baptism.” She reminded those in worship that “we are loved for who we are,” when bearing multiple titles and responsibilities, including “co-creator of justice.”
As the Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly look on, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), welcomes people to worship both in person at the Church Center for the United Nations and online. (Photo by Rich Copley/Presbyterian Mission Agency)
At the outset of the service, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offered words of welcome and a prayer.
Listen to a hymn sung during Monday’s worship here. Go here to read a report on Nelson’s sermon on Sunday at the Church of the Covenant, a church just around the corner from the United Nations.
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