I once heard Paul Escamilla give a sermon
in which he talked about a family cemetery in the Southwest borderlands.
It was so rich that I felt I was walking the grounds with him,
lingering over memories and sensing a deeper Spirit,
one that binds us together across boundaries of time and space.
Yesterday I met Paul in the hallway off the concourse,
heavy with the weight of decisions and divides.
I hadn’t known I needed to see him.
We talked about teaching and the possibilities of doing something new.
I hadn’t known I needed to talk with him.
But we met
and the warmth of that cemetery of beloved memory came rushing back
along with just a hint of Spirit
blowing across the wide-open plains.
Heartlands 
2 responses to “Cemetery of Beloved Memory: Meeting Paul Escamilla at General Conference”
Paul’s wise and gentle presence has certain been holy for me.
I do not know how it would look, but I have faith we can still make UMCs open and welcoming and affirming for all. If will take creativity and intention and a lot of work. And may be first a little space to breathe. Come, Holy Spirit.
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Yes. Some space to breathe! I hope the same
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