Saints of the Council

My morning devotional was about All Saints’ Day, a time for remembering those who have come before us. There is no doubt that Christians have a great inheritance from those who have worked tirelessly on important social justice issues, have given themselves to enriching the world, and who led faithful lives filled with faithful service.

The North Carolina Council of Churches has many saints that have come before us. If you read the Council’s history you will find the names of many faithful men and women who took a stand on controversial issues and moved the world to be a better place.

So it will be no surprise that my thoughts go to Sr. Evelyn Mattern. She nurtured the Council’s work as farmworker advocates. She envisioned work on a faith perspective for climate change and care of creation. She championed the rights of women. She sought economic justice for the least among us. She did all of this and more with the gentlest, loving spirit that I have ever known.

When asked during this season what I am most grateful for, I will include the saintly work of Sr. Evelyn and the many others who came before and after. They inspire me to be strong and fearless in my own calling so that all who come behind me will find me as faithful.