Dear Blacknall family,
You may have missed these monthly newsletters over the summer as we gave our full attention to other forms of communication in light of our circumstances. But thanks to the great work of Mary Grimm, we are reinstituting this means of being in touch as our separation from one another continues.
How could we possible have imagined the shape of late Spring and Summer, now into the months of Autumn? Someone generously described me as “knocked back” by the challenges; I am glad I wasn’t quite knocked out. But our team at the church has worked creatively and faithfully through all this, and we continue to adapt and tweak as our season apart drags on. I owe them a deep debt of gratitude. We have heard similar notes of thanks for many of you.
In recent weeks the three pastors, aided by some other ordained folks, have sought to provide communion to the worship groups who are meeting out of doors. Each week I pack my sacramental bag with chalice and paten, bread and wine, and a sufficient number of what are called “Celebration Cups”, and make rounds to two worshipping groups. Historically, this traveling parson has been more associated with the Methodists than the stodgy Presbyterians who require the people of God to come to us! But we have heard, and felt ourselves, that our commitment to the weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper has become a vital part of our weekly worship, and we continue to try to find ways to provide participation in the body and blood of Christ to members who so desire. And so we have taken to “horseback” and are heading into the fields and backyards of our gathered community where we find them, in a variety of adaptive ways, attending to the worship of the Triune God. And it has been a vital point of connection not only to one another, but a reminder that the Lord meant for us to be together, and not apart. Even while we long to be reunited, and especially with those who are, for reasons of vulnerability, even more isolated, we are grateful that the Holy Spirit can overcome the limits and griefs imposed on us by COVID 19.
Adaptive change. If we ever needed to be open to that, it’s now. I was reminded of the apostle Paul who thought he had a pretty good sense of the Lord’s direction in his life. But he was stymied in his plans and redirected, with great effect (Acts 16.6ff.). And Paul isn’t alone. Throughout Scripture the Lord invites his people to trust him as he redirects them onto paths they would not have chosen if left to themselves. The greatest example of this is actually seen in the cross itself, a path that brought Jesus to his knees. But means and ends are united, and while the path of suffering seemed mysterious at best, and horrific to all, the Lord asked his Son to walk in obedient trust. The result was beyond imagining, the first and crucial (a word derived from “cross”) step in the recreation of the cosmos, and its reconciliation with its Redeemer.
All this to say again that the Lord is not surprised by the events that are taking place in our world, nor are we beyond his reach and redemption. In the meantime, let us gather as we can, attend to his Word, his Table, and his world, those around us, in loving trust and faithfulness.
Allan
Reflections on Foster Care
A photo of the Coonley family
By Nisrine Pineo & Isela Coonley
Nisrine: We have been a licensed foster family with Durham County for several years. Early in 2019, two young siblings came to live with us and have been with us since then. When the Department of Social Services discovers abuse, neglect, or dependency in a family, children are sometimes removed from their family and enter the foster care system. They are placed with a foster family, who cares for them until they can safely return to their family or be adopted.
There are currently more than 400,000 children, aged 0-21, in foster care in the United States. In many counties, there is a shortage of foster families available to receive these children. As a result, children are sometimes placed out of their county, farther away from their birth family, or in group homes. Being a foster family has been challenging. My son, Zavier, shares that, “if you don’t know where the kids are going to end up, it’s harder to take care of them.” He’s right! But, I can also say with confidence that it has felt very rewarding to do work that has such a huge impact on the kids. If you, as a single person or a family, are interested in finding out more about what it means to be a foster family or support foster families in our community, I am happy to talk with you.
I’m grateful that Isela Coonley was recently willing to share with me about her experience. An excerpt of our conversation is below.
Nisrine: Could you tell us a little bit about your experience with the foster care system in Durham?
Isela: I was 13 months old when I was placed in Durham County's foster care system due to an abusive family situation. Initially, I was taken to an emergency foster care family for two weeks before my birth family arranged for a kinship placement. I spent about a month in the kinship placement before that too became unsafe. At this point social services contacted my future parents (Kip and Sarah), who had been licensed and waiting for several months. After about three weeks with them, they learned that another kinship placement had been arranged. I was transitioned to that fourth home for one night, but cried for most of that night. Because my birth father had visited while I was in the Coonley home and saw that I was happy there, he asked my mom (Sarah) if it would be ok for me to go back. My parents were delighted to bring me home again! After a few more complications, I was finally adopted as a three-year-old in 2008. My birth father died in a car accident while I was still in foster care and my birth mom was deported back to Mexico. I have had very sporadic contact with my birth mom, but we have tried to keep in touch.
Nisrine: What characteristics should a foster family have?
Isela: There are many characteristics that families should keep in mind when considering foster care. Some of the ones that come to mind at the moment are to be open to people coming and going, to be a safe haven for any foster kids, and to set a good example knowing that this is an opportunity to show children another way. Although it's sometimes hard, being positive and encouraging can help. It can also be really sad, to see a kid have to go through such difficulties. Parents should know how to guide kids through learning about their past.
Nisrine: Is there anything else that would you like people to know about foster care?
Isela: Foster care can be hard, but rewarding because you know you’re helping families out when they need it. And of course, it impacts the kid’s life, to have a family who will love them. It’s helpful to know that there are people out there who will give their time and energy for a short-term or long-term relationship with these children. People go through hard times and make bad decisions sometimes, and foster parents can help provide much needed care and stability in these situations.
There are kids right here, right now that need your help who would definitely benefit from a loving family who will help them through a little portion of their lives.
Congo Initiative Radio Station
By David Dunderdale
As part of Blacknall’s ongoing Deep Common Journey with Congo Initiative (in Beni, DRC) Blacknall gave $10,000 to help refurbish the community radio station that CI operates. The equipment in the radio station had broken down and through this gift from Blacknall our friends in Beni were able to buy a new transmitter, repair the broadcast antenna and restart broadcasting.
This radio ministry is an important part of the work of CI in Beni. It provides needed health and community education as well as proclaiming the message of the Gospel to the entire Beni community. If you are interested in hearing more about this Deep Common Journey or would like to get involved in working within our congregation to deepen this partnership, please contact Kim Dunderdale.