Rev. Vicky's Message June 11, 2026

I had an amazing trip in May. First, returning to Cincinnati to celebrate my grandson, Mateo’s 18th birthday and then his graduation from high school. Next, attending the encore Broadway in Cincinnati presentation of SUFFS. And concluding with my grandson, Joaquin’s quinceanero  (15th birthday coming of age celebration) family trip to the Yúcatan, Mexico.

It was wonderful to take a break from the daily effort of shifting my attention away from the debilitating slog of what currently makes up our daily news, to immerse myself and bask effortlessly in celebrating family, milestones, love, joy, excitement, beauty, adventure, and relaxation for a few weeks – remembering and giving thanks for the multitude of blessings in my life.

But, to be honest, the re-entry can be challenging, when the effortless distractions fade and the daily news, once again, competes loudly for my attention and reaction. And, preparing my upcoming Sunday lesson(s) on Patriarchy and Fatherhood require allowing my heart to be broken open so that I can both experience, and then share with you all, how God is in the midst of this fear and pain we currently find ourselves in.

So, though my heart is presently heavy, I am grateful for and blessed to know that I am always being called to teach what I most need to learn. And, as I explore the current attempts in our nation/world to “return to patriarchy” as a Biblical construct and political force to justify ongoing systems of domination (i.e., power over) – I am uplifted by, and ground myself in, the continually evolving understanding of Divine Truth that offers a different and transformative perspective.

I will leave you with these two quotes from Ft Richard Rohr’s CAC meditations to illustrate the latter (and hopefully uplift you as well):

“Sustained contact with the Holy Spirit, our Inner Source, allows us to become living icons of true, humble, and confident power. We no longer need to seek ‘power over’ others, because we have discovered the ‘power within’ and know it is a dignity shared with all of life. (emphasis added) (9/7/25 CAC meditation: Positive Power Dynamics)

“Remember this: There are always two worlds. The world as it operates is power; the world as it should be is love. The secret of kingdom life is how we can live in both––simultaneously. The world as it is will always be built on power, ego, and success. Yet we must keep our eyes intently on the world as it should be––what Jesus calls the reign of God.” (7/3/24 CAC meditation: A Gracious Weed)

I hope you will join us for this 2-part series as we seek to understand and more fully embody the true calling of God’s Love – so that we can celebrate fatherhood and "keep our eyes intently on the world as it should be."

Blessings,

Rev. Vicky