By Heather Melton, UTO Staff Officer
Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who lived in Ephesus during the 6th century B.C., wrote one text of which only fragments remain. The theme of the text is the unity of opposites, and from this text we get a famous quote that I’m sure you’ve heard: “The only constant in life is change.” (He also wrote, “No man ever steps in the same river twice.”) For me, Easter is a reminder of the unity of opposites because the resurrection is a reminder that God is making all things new, and in making things new, things are changing. We see it happening around us, as trees blossom and bulbs sprout, and if we’re willing, we can see it in our own lives.
I’ve worked for The Episcopal Church for 23 years, which is hard to fathom, especially seeing it in writing. Over the past 23 years of ministry (both as a lay and ordained person), the only constant is change when it comes to growing and adapting as congregations, ministries, or simply as Christians in the world. One of my core beliefs comes from Easter; it is the belief that if we don’t try, we fail, and if we do try, we might find that we’ve landed right where God was calling us to show up. It doesn’t mean that change and trying things isn’t scary; it really is. But when I consider the story of Easter, I’d rather be out with the women going to tend to the body and grave of Jesus then be with the disciples locked away in fear. I’d rather take the chance that in going out of a safe place I might get to see something spectacular.
Gratitude is a helpful balm when leaving what feels safe in the hopes of encountering the holy. Sometimes, when things are changing, or we simply feel called to try something new, first giving thanks for what was is an important step of reflection and learning. When we look back, we can see what we did well and think about how we could have done better. Through that reflection, we find that some things can go away that are no longer serving us well, while others need to be reimagined, and others still need to be created. This month the newsletter is a bit late because we’ve been working on the 2023 grant process, Lenten programs, and the annual report for 2022. All these things are always points of reflection and change. You’ll see that in the articles below from UTO leaders. Joyce shares that the grant committee saw how the criteria was no longer serving anyone well and could be clearer, and so the 2024 criteria is in fact different. Sherri talks about the importance of our annual report and how that helps us to reflect and respond to the ever-changing landscape of the world around us…coin shortages included.
There are also wonderful signs of where UTO is going, from a free Vacation Bible School program coming out next month—because we know church budgets are tight—to the May webinar on mental health and gratitude, because we know a lot of folks are struggling with self-care, mental health, and the realities of the economy and post-pandemic life. The story of Easter is the reminder that God is making all things new; or in other words, the only constant is change…and, if I could be so bold to add, the only constant is change and the love of God shown to us through the resurrection; and so we give thanks for change rooted in the love of God.
https://crossroadsantigua.org/the-only-constant-in-life-is-change-heraclitus/