Dear Beloved Community~
In March of this year, we all found ourselves swirling in a sea of chaos as the coronavirus pandemic threatened to alter life as we knew it. In response, Chris and I quickly switched gears to try and create a way to bring us all together, to help all of us stabilize and find a way to respond rather than react to our tumultuous circumstances.
Our April weekly webinars (“Whole Health Mondays,” “Spiritual Practice Wednesdays,” and “Kids Contemplation Fridays”) were an effort to create relevant, contemplative support for one another. If you missed those you might appreciate some of them even now.
There was a palpable sense of solidarity as our collective community reached out to one another in unison, declaring that:
“You are not alone.
We’re in this together.
We’ll do everything we can to help.”
This sentiment was originally birthed in Chris and my heart, but soon became our community anthem as we all braced ourselves for the ever-changing “new normal.” It warmed our hearts to see how so many banded together to offer a listening ear or an encouraging word to their friends across the nation and around the world.
Then, it happened that the pandemic and subsequent economic fall-out was not our only problem. Social unrest reached a boiling point. Chris and I found ourselves overwhelmed by the turmoil in our own city as another young black man was killed in the fight for racial justice.
Weeks turned into months, and as natural disasters and political instability were added to the list of global insecurities, we experienced our own season of turbulence as well. In response, Gravity had to cancel all of our remaining in-person programming for 2020.
As we find ourselves approaching advent in the Christian calendar and winter in the northern hemisphere, Gravity is trying to cooperate with the signs of the times and the invitation to slow down, enter the darkness, and wait for the new life that wants to be born. As Chris and I deepen our personal sabbatical time, Gravity too is responding in like manner.
Even as we have tried to be there for you this year under very challenging circumstances, you have also sustained us with your friendship, prayers, and financial support. We have experienced your solidarity. Thank you for reminding us that we are not alone, that you’re in this with us, and that you’ll do everything you can to help.
We are so very, very grateful for you.
As you approach Thanksgiving, may you find renewed gratitude for the gifts that can only come in darkness, and know how very much you mean to us.
Sincerely yours,
Phileena, Chris, & Basil