Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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Exploring the River of Hope Part 3 of 4 ᑀᑀᑀ BY Y. DIANNA WRIGHT Lord, I want to cross over into campground"1 begins a well- known African American spir- itual. This idea of surviving deep waters—ones that "roar and foam" (Ps. 46:3)—inspired two daily Gathering themes: "The River Is Deep" and "The River Is Wide." Parts of our lives and also our D world feel like quiet streams or bab- bling brooks—calm, soothing. But other parts seem like deep, wide rivers, filled with disturbances. God is present in both the calm and chaos. The Promise of Water Exodus 17 tells the story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The very real danger they face is a lack of water. They com- plain of thirst, questioning whether God is with them. God instructs Moses to go ahead of the people to Mount Horeb and strike the rock. Moses does so, and water flows from the rock to where the people are, so that they can drink. Scripture doesn't tell us how the people responded. I can only imag- ine that the water sustained them, assured them of God's presence and encouraged them to continue their journey. In baptism—a sacrament repre- sented by water—we commit our- selves to God. The Book of Common Worship includes these life-changing words in the baptismal liturgy: "By 24 eep river, my home is over Jordan, Deep river, death. And the problems don't stop with water; they include other serious prob- lems confronting women and children, such as human traf- ficking and maternal health. Addressing how the "River of Hope" is both deep and wide, the Gathering will inspire and equip us to participate in Christ's min- water and the Holy Spirit, we are made members of the church, the body of Christ, and joined to Christ's ministry of love, peace and justice."2 God provides salvation and deliv- erance; we respond with thanksgiv- ing and by sharing God's love with the world. Navigating the Waters When we hear of suffering in the world—disturbances in the deep, wide river—our water-sealed bap- tismal promise compels us to respond. During the Gathering, plenary speak- ers and workshop leaders will offer insights into the most pressing issues facing the world today. Sometimes, as with the Israelites in the wilderness, the struggle is water. Oil spills in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico have tainted ocean water and the surrounding environ- ment. But that doesn't begin to compare with issues our sisters and brothers face in others parts of the world. In Sudan, the Amazon and Central and South America, clean water shortages cause disease, unhealthy living conditions and istry of love, peace and justice. Reflection Read Psalm 46:4–5 and 78:12–16. Spend some time with your jour- nal, writing your thoughts, prayers and answers to these questions. From what has God delivered you? In baptism, we are linked to God and bound in community with each other. How have you responded to this covenant? Prayer By awesome deeds, you answer us with deliverance, O God of our sal- vation. You are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. Thank you for your blessings. Praise is due you, O God. Amen. Y. Dianna Wright is the African American ministry advocate for Salem Presbytery in Clemmons, North Carolina. Notes 1. African American Heritage Hymnal (Chicago: GIA, 2001) no. 605. 2. Book of Common Worship (Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox, 1993), 405. 2012 churchwide gathering Thinkstock.com