Last Thursday I filled in for another writer who is teaching a series of classes here at the GoggleWorks. An intimate group of eight, the writers are multi-faceted and talented. We did some writing exercises, not calisthenics but wordplay. What a treat! What fun to hear their words! We had an interesting discussion about the power of writing to put emotions on the page, to resolve angers and griefs, to bring about a feeling of wholeness.
The church I grew up in has experienced a shock wave of sorts, revelations of misconduct by a diocesan official long gone, and the current bishop has issued a pastoral letter regarding the matter. He is clear about naming the issue and apologizing for it on behalf of the diocese. The letter has within it the seeds of healing and hope for all those affected and for all future members of the church. Writing has power. Naming the wrong has power. An abject apology begins to resolve the bewilderment, the powerlessness, the lostness, the anger and hurt and humiliation.
The words have begun the healing. May it continue, with God's grace.
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