Letters

 I was recently paired up with a new pen pal. I don't know anything about her yet, only that she lives in Illinois and she's a pastor, too - both of us members of the group Young Clergy Women International. I'm looking forward to our correspondence, and not only because I have an extensive collection of pens, note cards, and postage stamps. In this time when many of us are spending a lot more time at home, waiting for the mail and anticipating a letter can be a highlight of the day! And also, on the days that everything going on in the world seems overwhelming and uncertain, the small, simple act of connecting through words on a page can be both grounding and meditative.

Photo by Allie on Unsplash

Letters are an important part of our holy Scriptures - there are 22 of them in the New Testament. Over half of those are attributed to the Apostle Paul, though he likely didn't write all the ones that bear his name. Most of the New Testament letters were written to congregations - teaching about God, offering support and encouragement, and addressing conflicts and questions that had arisen within that particular community.

Many of the letters begin with similar greetings - here are the first two verses of 2 Corinthians: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints throughout Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Some of the language of these letters appears in our liturgy, such as this closing blessing from 2 Corinthians: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you."

These letters were delivered by trusted messengers, and would have been read aloud to the gathered congregation. Though we only see one side of the conversation, we can imagine the emotions and questions that might evoke such a response, as well as the frustration and longing at the reality of being separated.

In this time that we are apart, perhaps you also will pick up the art of letter-writing, and use it as a spiritual discipline. What words of encouragement could you share? Might you use the New Testament letters as a model? What messages would it be especially powerful to receive?

Bonus resources: 

• Be a supportive pen pal to someone confined to death row through the Church of the Brethren's Death Row Support Project.
• Send a letter or email to our legislators to address issues that are important to you using these resources from ELCA Advocacy.