The Courage to Belong

Written By Kairos-Milwaukie United Church of Christ
Image of umbrellas in the rain, all are black except for one that glows in yellow. Words over image: The Courage to Belong, the reflection from October 12, 2025.

The reflection by Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman presented on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

“The alien who resides with you shall be to as the native born among you. You shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” — from Leviticus 19

I have been thinking, as I’m sure many of us have, about all the different ways we describe people living far from the places of their birth, the places of their ancestors, the place of their dreams for their children. We use words like: new arrival, alien, foreigner, immigrant, refugee, illegal, exile, ex-pat, conqueror, conquered. It all depends on how you arrived, with what political power behind you, and what money in your pocket. It takes great courage to leave a familiar place. Even if it was a place filled with hardship, it was your place and now you are leaving it. And it can take great courage to live as a new arrival, even if you have been welcomed and you have resources. It takes day to day courage to be in a new place.

Liberating Words:

  • Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-7

  • Luke 17: 11-19

Kairos-Milwaukie United Church of Christ

Kairos-Milwaukie United Church of Christ (KMUCC) is an inclusive, progressive Christian community in Milwaukie, Oregon, celebrating God’s still-speaking voice and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

https://www.kairosmilwaukieucc.org
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Hope Is Worth the Risk