| Those of you who are local may have firsthand experience with the tensions and uncertainty many in our community are experiencing.
Those of you further away may have seen or read the descriptions of our city.
I want to describe what we are living here in DC.
The current enhanced law enforcement and National Guard presence in DC is impacting our daily lives in very real ways. In recent days, members of the community have been stopped at checkpoints, some of us are feeling fearful of being out, or concerned about arriving safely at the homes to support core people.
In moments like these, our mission as a community grounded in trust, compassion, and the dignity of each person calls us to lean on one another and ensure that no one carries the burden of worry alone.
What I see at L’Arche Greater Washington D.C. is a remarkable group of people who are responding to the needs of their teammates, core people and families, neighbours–centering themselves on our mission of transformation and connection.
As a movement for justice, for people who are marginalized, undervalued, and forgotten, I ask that you hold not only our community in prayer, but also our assistants and leaders, core people and friends, neighbours and strangers–each of whom is impacted–to know that they are loved and safe and not alone.
I invite you to consider what you can do in your own circles of influence, taking what you’ve learnt with L’Arche, to find connection and care with and for the most vulnerable, working together toward a more human society.
Image: Eileen & Tom Murphy (L’Arche USA) standing in front of a D.C. icon, The U.S. Capitol, which is in our backyard. |
