Working Together for Justice and Mercy

 

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

 -- Martin Luther King Jr.

 

"[God] has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

-- Micah 6:8

1. Practicing the radical hospitality of God

I recently saw a T-shirt that had a black and white picture of an old dude in long robes with a white beard pointing at the sky while appearing to shout at a group of people. My eye naturally followed to where he was pointing, which held a full color rainbow with the words: “The Non-Judgmental Days Are Coming.” I laughed right out loud.

 

It reminded me of one of the Pride events I attended with my family, where a group of religious people gathered in protest. They shouted verses about salvation while holding picket signs and Bibles. They thought their actions were grounded in something good. However, the perception of their actions could be read as nothing but hurtful. Slowly, people—just regular people, like the ones working the local UCC church’s booth—came and stood with their backs to the picketers. They made a protective line in front of those whose words were causing discomfort and pain. When the religious group shouted, the people from the protective line raised their voices louder, proclaiming: You are loved. You are beautiful. You belong.

 

It brings tears to my eyes every time I recall the scene. THIS is what Christ calls us to! Standing in solidarity and protection, while using our voices to affirm God’s love.

 

I am blessed to be in a denomination that actively seeks to help churches educate and become Open and Affirming. A denomination willing to stand not just non-violently but with voices of affirmation and belonging shouting, “The non-judgmental days are coming!”

  • Photos from Synod 2023

 

 2. Identifying and working to overcome explicit and implicit bias in the life of the Church 

  • Participating in Justice Marches
  • Slide from Transgender Educational Program
  • Slide of Juneteenth Youth Celebration
  • Provide opening prayer at CRC’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s (2022-Present)
    • Please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association

2025 Prayer for Walk to End Alzheimer’s (Click to expand)

Faithful God, you never leave us nor forget us nor lessen your love for us. You see us in this moment just as we are and you love us. Oh Great Comforter, we come to this place together to grieve the effects Alzheimer’s has on our families, friends and loved ones; to celebrate the efforts being made to end this disease to support of all those who care for those living with Alzheimer’s and to show love to those affected by this disease.

Divine One, We ask that you shield the precious ones living with Alzheimer’s from the distress and confusion that often are part of living with this disease. Grant to all caregivers in their many forms strength to continue caring when their resources are at an end, patience when they are worn and tired, and your peace that passes understanding. Bless the efforts of the researchers and doctors who are searching for a cure. Help those who stand in spaces of support to find meaningful ways to offer encouragement, empathy, and compassion to all these affected.

We give thanks for places like CRC where, physical and emotional dignity abound, and where people are celebrated for who they are and what they can do now. We thank you for all those here with us in person and those with us in spirit today, and all those who have offered gifts and funds to help bringing energy and awareness to Ending Alzheimer’s.

Bless our walk, Dear Lover of our Souls and accept it as an offering of our love. Take the energy we give to this endeavor, combine it with the many other ways people are giving of themselves to help End Alzheimer’s and weave it all into a more perfect tomorrow.

We thank you and ask these thing in the many beautiful names of God. Amen.

  • Facilitating and participating in CRC’s Crop Walk (2022-Present)
  • UM Anatomical Donations Invocation (2020-2025)
  • View 2025's video (Prayer starts at 9:22)

 

 

Elisabeth is a great support in her contingent role at the Chelsea Hospital. She shows initiative and desire to support patient care as well as staff care. She always is willing to take on challenges and is curious and desiring to grow in her chaplain skills. It is great having her part of the spiritual care team at Chelsea Hospital.

--Rev. Larry L. Lyons, MDiv, BCC, Manager of Spiritual Care Service, Chelsea Hospital

3. Understanding community context and navigating change with a community

One of the things I love about being in ministry is exploring how God’s love meets people in different contexts. Each context is unique with its abilities, challenges, and invitations from God.

One truth that remains the same, no matter the context, is that God is continuously inviting individuals and groups to grow more and more into the creations God intends for them to be. This means change is constant. As a minister, it is often my role to help people recognize and—If not embrace—at least accept change as God’s invitation for growth.

 Some contexts and communities I have ministered in: 

  • Chelsea Retirement Community
  • Chelsea Hospital
  • Parish Ministries
  • Open and Affirming Committee
  • Sunday School and Family Ministries
  • Mindfulness and Meditation Groups
  • Small Groups

4. Engaging in mission and outreach [that] (5.) Build relationships of mutual trust and interdependence

  • Working with the Salish, Kootenai, and Serbian Yupik tribes
  • International mission and humanitarian trips:
    • Mexico
    • Canada
    • Kenya (*sketch of me and my Ministry Team in Kenya)
      • Original Artwork, Seymour, Elisabeth. Kenya Mission Team. 2005.
  • Intergenerational worship
  • Intergenerational story-time
  • Parables All Abilities Worship
    • Photo: Me with some of the other Parable's Planning Team members

"Elisabeth has been part of PARABLES: All-Abilities Inclusion Worship since its earliest days. She has used her creative teaching skills to not only translate theology in fresh, innovative ways for the faith community, but uses her skills in management and administration to organize and direct activities from Christmas pageants adapted for inclusion, to preaching regularly in strong solidarity with people living with intellectual disability and developmental delay. Her spontaneity in following the lead of the Spirit as she leads worship is one of the most powerful marks she exhibits as an effective minister for Christ. It is both inspiring, genuine, humble, and powerful to watch her lead."

--Rev. LeAnn Seto (she/her), LLMSW Parables: All-Abilities Inclusion Worship Coordinator,  Chelsea First United Methodist Church