Dear friends at APCC,
It's been a long time since I've seen many of you! Almost four years ago, I left Seattle and All Pilgrims to head off to seminary at Pacific School of Religion. I have been immensely grateful over the years for the support I've received from many of you, for your prayers, and for the scholarship assistance provided by APCC.
It sometimes seems funny to me what a short time I spent at APCC, and what a huge impact that time had on my life. You all exemplified to me what a Christian community should be like - open, welcoming, engaged in the wider world, and deeply committed to the teachings and call of Jesus Christ. When I first came to APCC, I remember watching you welcome those who were on the margins of our community in a way that was filled with grace, not condescending or holier than thou. I watched the ways you all supported each other. And I noticed the large and small kindnesses you offered to each other, and me. I feel proud (still) to be a member of APCC, and I continue to be profoundly grateful for the grace and support I found when I was there.
In my time at PSR I've had so many great opportunities. I spent a year in field education at a hospital, providing spiritual care to patients. I started an annual interfaith festival that celebrates the spiritual practices of many religions (www.sacredsnapshots.org). More than 200 people attend Sacred Snapshots each year. After the first event, I began working for PSR, helping with events and fundraising.
This year, I started a "pop-up" church during Lent that integrated Christian worship with a 12-step practice and support model called Into the Wilderness: (http://intothewildernesspopup.wordpress.com). Many of the participants have committed to helping continue this project, and I am beginning to research how one might start a church. Some of our most committed folks are people who have never been to church. One of the outcomes of this initial pop-up experience was the formation of a group that will consider ways to help people who are homeless here. We're thinking about policy work, feeding programs, and possibly a pop-up art campaign.
During this project I finally (it's taken four years!) realized that my call is really focused on translating Christianity and the beauties of the Christian practice to people, like me, who have been outside the church for a long time. Whether this takes the form of experimental ministry like Into the Wilderness, chaplaincy work with those recovering from alcoholism/addiction, or continuing to help create new programs at PSR, I don't yet know.
As I graduate this month, I intend to continue on in the ordination process. And I hope to see you all this summer - I'm planning to visit in August!
I cannot say enough how deeply grateful I am to all of you. Thank you for being such a transformative community of faith in the world.
Blessings,
Leslie Leasure