by Liv Larson Andrews
Director for Evangelical Mission
The prophet Isaiah sings to us on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, "The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad. Like crocus blossoms it will be abundant with joy...Say to those with fearful hearts, 'be strong, do not be afraid. Here is your God.'"
Parts of our synod are high desert. And many parts of our synod have reason to be fearful at this time--not of dryness, but of excess water. We are with you all and praying for you and here to connect you to help. May the rivers recede and return to their gentle flow.
Thinking about Isaiah's vision, I want to share a story of another kind of flood. A flood of blessing. An abundance of community and care. It also came to a desert recently, and there are blooms of joy and gladness beginning to flourish.
Cultivating Justice is an outreach ministry, authorized and supported by our synod. Zoe Jaspers is the lead organizer. Pastor Dane Breslin and Jess Ingman serve as mentors and guides. This ministry is housed at Sunnyslope UCC church near Wenatchee.
Some weeks ago, at night, a group of people showed up to Sunnyslope to oppose its message of radical welcome and to harass its leaders, Dane and Zoe included. This was caught on video and documented. It's disturbing.
While that incident is troubling, it is not the point of this story. Cultivating Justice is a ministry based in organizing. One way to imagine what organizing does is to think about mycelium networks underground--mushrooms that link and communicate and tend to each other and, when the time is right, bear fruit.
When opposition became acute and cruel, the mycelium network of mercy, kindness, grace and compassion knew it was time. It came forth in a flood. While the hateful incident may have involved 10-12 persons, the gathering of advocates and friends that came together to show support was over 80 folks. A huge potluck feast was shared. An "emergency rainbow dance party" hotline was created to mobilize folks, and they mobilized! A team showed up with joyful signs and costumes at another church that was threatened.
Isaiah brings us a vision of God's future. This is the wonderful, crazy dance of Advent: Come Lord Jesus, we pray, and also, thank you O God for how you are already here! The "already, not yet" good news. Life is continuing to bloom and make possible all sorts of healing, joy, peace and blessing that we can't yet even dream.
I am rejoicing on this Gaudete Sunday for the brave, strong, and beautiful network that Cultivating Justice has nurtured, and for the fruit it is bearing. If you want to learn more about them and their ministry, they will be offering a workshop at Synod Assembly this spring (April 24-26, 2026). In the meantime, you can support them financially and always with the gifts of your prayers and friendship.
This Advent, the deep blue of the darkening nights is edged with rainbows. Alleluia.