There’s a powerful story I heard several years ago from Dorothy Johnson, our longtime alto section leader, that goes like this:

An elder Apache was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

The grandchildren thought silently. Then one child asked, “Which wolf will win?” And their grandfather replied, “The one you feed.”

The power of this story is especially clear to me in this time of transition and challenge here at Payson Park Church. While I write these words before our Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 31, I know that no matter what the outcome of those discussions and votes, we will be faced with the choice of feeding either anger and resentment or humility and compassion. What important decisions these are! What opportunities we have to continue learning to work and worship together in Jesus’ spirit of hope!

As you read through these pages of this month’s newsletter, I trust you’ll find ways to participate in the life of our vital and growing community. From breaking bread together in worship on Sunday, June 7, to celebrating our educational ministries on June 14, to our monthly gatherings of fellowship, support, and prayer groups, to administrative and planning discussions, there is a wide variety of ways we have the chance to keep “speaking the truth in love” and moving forward together with generosity and kindness. It is my prayer that will we will be open to God’s great grace and light that we may be the living body of Christ.

In faith and love from,
The Reverend Lael Atkinson