Finding Sanctuary in 2024 by Pastor Melinda Sparks-Renner
I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions - for the simple reason that I never keep them, so what’s the point? But one thing that I want to keep going is our 2024 word of the year, Sanctuary. Our 2023 word Community has been playing out beautifully; you model this well. Thank you for all the ways that you show love, care, and community for one another and me!
The word “sanctuary” can mean a “consecrated” place, such as a church, which applies to us. But I am thinking a little deeper than that; the secondary meaning of “sanctuary” is “a refuge for wildlife where predators are controlled, and hunting is illegal.” (Webster’s) Or the Oxford dictionary says it is a “place of refuge or safety”- a harbor, a port in a storm, or a hideout.
Can anyone use a place of refuge or safety? I can. Does anyone ever feel like it sure would be nice if people who are consistently rude, unkind, and a perpetual jackass, could be controlled, and their mistreatment would be labeled, “Illegal?” And they actually care that their treatment is out of bounds, and for goodness sake, just stop it?
I have those people in my life, and creating boundaries for my mental health is vital - and I hope that you, too, can establish those boundaries.
But I also just need a place of refuge no matter how people treat me. I need a place where I know I am not unfairly judged or maligned. I need a place where I can cry if I need to and express my frustration and anger. I need a place to lay my burden down. It’s heavy, and I’m weary, and I need a soft place to land.
When I tell you that I believe that Imago Dei is that place, I think that with all my heart.
This is the 12th church I have served in - from birth until now.
I bear marks of spiritual abuse and turmoil. Like a lot of you do. I have battle scars and memories that I wish I could erase. Just like a lot of you do.
Places that should have been a sanctuary to me became places where I was hunted by predators and left bloody on the side of the road. Just like a lot of you have.
But I’ve seen the very best of community in churches, too. I’ve seen and been offered sanctuary repeatedly during hard times. And I cannot get over my love for the Church and my sincerest heart’s desire to see her be the best community and sanctuary she can be. I cannot give up on her.
Imago is a place of beautiful community and life-giving sanctuary. It is truly like no other Church I’ve ever known. Hand to God.
We (I) don’t always get it right. We (I) make mistakes faster than you can spell “Mississippi,” and we (I) always stand ready to apologize and make things right and, if given a second chance, to do better.
The Church should always be a sanctuary for all. Gay, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Bisexual, Asexual - all people. No matter our social status, the size of our bank accounts, skin color, or disability we may have. Imago Dei is always striving to be that kind of Sanctuary.
No matter if we have a home or not, no matter if we wear Nikes or pleather knock-offs from Walmart; no matter if we are employed or not, no matter if we’ve been abused or not, no matter our IQ or privilege we have or especially, don’t have.
Imago Dei is your Sanctuary. It is my Sanctuary. And I pray with everything within me that it will be a sanctuary for everyone outside our doors who longs to give us a chance to see if we are.
You are loved,
Pastor Melinda