I am a retired minister in the United Church of Christ, called to be pastor, priest and prophet. Throughout my 39- plus years of active ministry, I knew my roles: as pastor I was a listener, a presence of calm in life and death; as priest I was the leader in worship, blessing the sacraments, baptizing all ages in Christ, and, through worship, inviting worshipers into God’s presence; as prophet I was, at best, a reluctant speaker of truth to power.

To be a prophet was to risk all the security I felt I needed: the love of the people I served; calm waters; lack of conflict and, frankly, my job.

Today, I am called again to take up the role as prophet. Today I cannot say no, as reluctant as I might be. Today, I must speak God’s Truth of love and justice and mercy to the powers that are seizing even more power for themselves. Today I must stand with those among us who are being further marginalized, who are being pushed deeper into poverty, who are terrified about their future in our nation.

To be a prophet is to live with the insecurities I fear most: poverty; my own safety; losing the things around me; having nothing. And, if I do not speak God’s Truth of love, justice and mercy, to the merciless and bald-faced moves by the current Republican administration to seize Power, I will have, in fact, lost everything and have nothing.

Patti Welch

Bristol