Dear CHUMC-
Since July, CHUMC has moved through the Book of Genesis (or “Origins”) to the Book of Exodus (or “Exits”), which tells how a group of slaves exits their situation of oppression to freedom and then exits from estrangement to covenant community. I have, as all too many of us have, known the experience of exile and estrangement in my life, and in the last ten years here at CHUMC have found freedom and covenantal community. I had the privilege of preaching September 14 (see the sermon “Sea of Change” online) on the story of the parting of the Red Sea, a fitting story for CHUMC’s resident marine biologist I do believe. Sunday marked my “exit” from my ministry internship, in which I, among others things, participated weekly in worship. As CHUMC's seminarians are able, we will rotate that responsibility, graciously supported by CHUMC as a Teaching Congregation. And while I continue as the student associate to facilitate the Ebenezer Capitol Hill Cooperative Parish, my “sea of change” continues as I have a new full time position that allows me to "wade into the water" of ecotheology. As the Anacostia Riverkeeper I am the public advocate for the Anacostia River, addressing the environmental and social justice issues that affect it and the communities who live in its watershed. The Anacostia Riverkeeper is a proud member of the Waterkeeper Alliance (www.waterkeeper.org), a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the world’s waterways. Pastor Alisa asked me to share this exciting news with you and direct you to CHUMC's website as I blog about this experience. In the months to come I will share with you more opportunities to be involved in the important work of racial reconciliation within the Ebenezer Capitol Hill Cooperative Parish, and I will also let you know what I am doing as the Anacostia Riverkeeper.
Thank you,
Dottie
