By Rev. Jane Smith at Channing Memorial Church in Ellicott City, Md.
“It was the first time she was part of a community who held her in loving embrace for exactly who she was – all of who she was. Including her addiction. She was given the opportunity to share her story and hear from others. And this acceptance – this led to healing. To profound healing. To a life of sobriety. She feared stigma and was met with love – she no longer saw herself as a failure, but a worthy person with wisdom to share. To me this directly speaks to the power of Beloved Community. Starhawk writes, “We are all longing to go home to some place … Someplace we can be free.”1 Expecting rejection, Kate found home.”