Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry of Los Alamos, seated second from left at table, with members of her denomination attending their annual meeting held this past week at the El Paso border. Courtesy photo
By Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
“Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.” Romans 12:13
“Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you.” John 15:12
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’” Matthew 25:44-45
“You have been a refugee for the poor, a refugee for the needy in distress, a hiding place from the storm, a shade from the heat. When the breath of tyrants is like a winter storm.” Isaiah 25:4
As I write this article, I have just returned to Los Alamos from El Paso. The denomination that I am a part of had our annual meeting at the border. On Wednesday, we shifted the “business of the church” (you know voting on resolutions, looking at minutes, overseeing a budget, etc.) to include immersion activities. 250+ of us entered 20 activities to listen, to learn, and to hear the stories of humans, whom we name as children of God, who desire to enter the US. My heart was heavy with the reality of what it takes to survive traveling to the US border. My brain was confused that the chaos that has been in the news since Title 42 lifted was not seen. The rumors of folks coming to “destroy our country” was not a reality.
The bible verses listed above are the reminders we have for the work we are called to do. This morning I was blessed to read this poem by Mary Oliver:
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say ‘Look!’ and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.
Upon returning home I do not have the answers. I DO HAVE a wiser understanding of what we see on social media, and what has been named as “news” verses what I saw and heard this week. I am humbled by conversations of those who wish to have a new, safe, and hope-filled life in the US. Those who wish to work hard in this country that has its beginnings in immigration. My new siblings “dream of rising”. My hands on their shoulders in prayer is just the beginning.
I need a few days to fully process all I have learned. I “bow my head” in thanksgiving to God for hearing their stories of courage, resilience, integrity, and love for family. I ask God to heal us from judgement, complicity, greed, and fear of the “other.” Our humanity is counting on that.
Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a semi-monthly column written by local women clergy (pastors and deacons) including, ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com); Nicolé Ferry, Pastor, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (pastornicole@bethluth.com); Lynn Finnegan, Assistant Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, Santa Fe (rev.lynn@holyfaithchurchsf.org) and Deb Church, Pastor, White Rock Presbyterian Church (pastor@wrpchurch.com).