Urban Grace

Last Sunday I was invited to speak to the congregation about the Kindness Walk during the morning service at Urban Grace Church in downtown Tacoma. Urban Grace is the church that is welcoming us as we  finish walking almost 12 miles on Day 5 (Sunday, Aug. 16).

What a special morning! My wife Chris joined me and we absolutely soaked up the warm welcome and vibrant life of this faith community. It became clear to us that these are folks walking their talk, which is clearly stated on the service bulletin:

WHO WE ARE: Urban Grace is an ecumenical congregation that is multicultural, diverse, and welcoming to all. We welcome the full participation of all people—any denominational background, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic location. We hope to be the open table that Jesus set and offer a nurturing fellowship where it’s safe to wrestle and explore—acknowledging the simultaneous joy and pain, blessing and loss, of this life.

I am so glad that Bob and I decided to end each day’s walk at a different faith community. We believe passionately that the message we are upholding is universal and is not copyrighted by any particular religion. Being in the presence of good people who have many different ways of discerning and answering that of God in themselves and others is like finding a cool oasis after a day of walking.

Especially these days I think it is so important to find ways to avoid much of the noise generated by those voices wanting primarily to rip and tear. I’d rather not put whole groups of people in easy-to-dismiss boxes. I think it is possible—and crucial—to search for common ground, work for the common good, and be open to the possibility that my way is not the only way. Bob and I love that Urban Grace is on our route and that we can carry their spirit (and be joined by some of their congregation) into Tacoma!