Beloved Friends,
Today, as we near the end of our 2021 Pledge Drive, I am thinking about “imaginal cells” as a powerful metaphor describing who we are called to be as a loving, liberating, life-giving community of faith.
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Imaginal cells are the ones responsible for creating the incredible process of metamorphosis which occurs when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. Initially, each of the imaginal cells operates as a single-cell organism – entirely independent of one another. And then, at a certain point something shifts, and they are no longer independent but interdependent, connecting with each other as they become the genetic directors of the metamorphosis of the caterpillar. In short, it is this connected power of these imaginal cells that create the miracle, the radical transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly.
Over the past four weeks we have used the image of a butterfly and the words of “radical transformation” to invite our community into a season of reflection and then action in hopes of garnering pledges of support for the year to come.
We have heard- during both services- Trinity@Home and Trinity@316 (our in-person worship) powerful impact stories from our membership. And while each has been beautiful in its uniqueness they seem deeply connected not unlike imaginal cells.
Each of us has walked in through those red doors or tuned into Trinity@Home at some point looking for something. We come from all walks of life; some with church backgrounds, some without. Some with good religious experiences, some, not so much. And yet, just like the imaginal cells in a caterpillar at some point, for those of us who have found a spiritual home- something has stirred inside us- moving us away from our individual selves and into deep and transformative connections with each other.
I once heard someone describe Trinity as the “church for people who thought they needed to give up on church.” I love that description. I think that is what Jesus wants of us the most- a community focused on creating a place of belonging and deep connection for all.
To do that work we need your imaginal cells to connect with all of our imaginal cells so that together, with God’s love, we can continue to be radically transformed, courageous, generous and joyful. If you have not already offered your pledge, your “yes”, your sign of support for who and how we strive to be in the world in the year to come, please consider doing that today!
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And may you never forget that you are loved,
Lisa