Recently, I’ve gotten sucked into the world of TikTok, the popular social media platform based on short videos. For some reason, the TikTok algorithm has decided that what I most want to see is videos by progressive clergy, especially from the Episcopal church (along with videos about cooking and Noodle the pug). How the TikTok algorithm knows that I care about progressive religious community is a bit of a mystery, but I’ve enjoyed hearing messages from various religious leaders. In particular, I was taken with Rev. Elizabeth Riley’s concept of rage praying. Rage praying is what you do when you are angry with the world or with God.
It seems like there are a lot of good reasons to be angry these days. I’m visiting my parents as I write this blog, and I’ve now seen approximately 37,000 TV commercials about the Pennsylvania primary elections, and every single one of them bugs me. I’m angry that people won’t wear masks and get vaccinated. I’m angry about how many injustices fill our world. But I also know that my anger is largely caused by fear. I’m sure of this because of how I feel about climate change. It scares me to death. In fact, I’ve rarely followed news about climate change closely, because it’s terrible for my mental health. I begin imagining worst-case scenarios and then get sucked into an anxiety vortex about how I’m going to survive in the apocalypse. My usual coping mechanism has been to ignore the news about climate change as much as possible. This is not because I don’t believe in it or I don’t think it’s an important issue – quite the contrary. I think it’s incredibly important, but knowing all the details feels unbearable. And so I’ve chosen to follow the lead of people who know more about the topic than I do, so that I am not tasked with understanding the depth and breadth of the emergency we find ourselves in.
But I wonder if I would be served better by rage praying. By accepting the level of anger and fear I feel about the dire straits we are in. Instead of turning my head, can I lean in? Can I use my faith as a place to process my fear and anger, so that I can engage with one of the most critical issues in our world? What would my rage prayer about climate change look like?
Earth Day is coming up on Apr. 22. There are a number of ways to recognize the work needed for our earth. Here at UUCF, we have two upcoming opportunities to honor our Earth. On Fri., Apr. 22, at 6 p.m., in the outdoor amphitheater, join us for Earth Awakening. Bring blankets and chairs and a picnic for dinner at 6 p.m. and stay for 6:30 p.m. worship including congregational singing, story time, a family activity and live music by Woven Green. All ages invited. The next weekend, on Sat., Apr. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., will be a combined Arbor Day/Earth Day celebration. This event will include Charles Smith, branch chief in Fairfax County’s Stormwater Management Program, speaking on “The Healing Power of Nature,” as well as children’s activities, tree tours and plantings, a light vegan lunch and tabling from local organizations and vendors (including River-Sea Chocolates!). Please RSVP via email to ActForClimateToday@gmail.com. I encourage you to come to both events to replenish your hope for the Earth – a hope you can use to fuel the rage that will bring about change.
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