For the last several weeks, I’ve found myself repeatedly singing this song — to my 5 year old when he woke up with leg cramps; to myself in the shower; as I drove through an unfamiliar neighborhood on my way to do a porch pickup of something and saw a political sign that made me sigh in frustration.
A few weeks ago, I had the honor of being invited to virtually witness an ordination into Unitarian Universalist ministry — it was the first ordination I’ve ever seen and I had no idea what to expect, especially in a virtual format!
Without hyperbole, it was one of the most life-affirming and generative experiences I’ve had since this entire pandemic started.
Other ministers from around the country attended, along with family and friends near and far. There were pre-recorded segments, and parts where those who knew the new minister well shared about her ministry and its impacts already.
And music. Oh there was beautiful music.
I particularly loved this song, which included folks near and far into a chorus and choir of love and community.
This has been my chosen meditation more often than not since the ordination.
We shall be known by the company we keep
By the ones who circle round to tend these fires
We shall be known by the ones who sow and reap
The seeds of change, alive from deep within the earth
It is time now, it is time now that we thrive
It is time we lead ourselves into the well
It is time now, and what a time to be alive
In this Great Turning we shall learn to lead in love
In this Great Turning we shall learn to lead in love
Lyrics to We Shall Be Known, by Karisha Longaker of MaMuse
My anxiety has increased the last week or so, as we move toward an already-chaotic election, in a year of chaos and hardship for so so many people. I’m choosing to focus on the company we keep, the fires that need tending, the seeds to be sown, and the possibility of a future and a time when we all thrive.