There has been a word that I can’t get out of my mind this week: Grace.
Grace refers to God’s unmerited favor, love or help.
Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This greeting was present in nearly every one of Paul’s letters in the New Testament. It is the greeting of the Church.
It is also used as a blessing before a meal.
We sing about Amazing Grace. It is one of the most popular hymns of all time.
There are many other ways that this word is used in our language, such as to be graceful or gracious.
Even very literally at times: Hail Mary, full of Grace. The Lord is with thee. Mary, mother of Jesus, was literally full of Grace – the unmerited gift from God.
It is also used as a woman’s name in our world today.
This week I have been thinking especially of Grace Imathiu.
Upon her graduation in 1984 from WVWC (Chemistry), Grace wrote an open letter of appreciation to the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was a recipient of the Dorothy Lee Scholarship for international students, funded by the United Methodist Women in West Virginia. Her time here was rich and rewarding, even as she was experiencing some homesickness as she had not been back to her native Kenya in more than three years. During breaks and vacations, she traveled around the United States (more than 40 states) to experience this country and spent time with close friends who became like family.
That letter surfaced recently, and I would like to share some excerpts from it.
Grace comes to Buckhannon from Kenya
I remember that day I arrived in Buckhannon I was excited. Excited about America. Excited about the experience of college. I had plans–big plans. As we drove up Main Street, my excitement began to slowly turn to disbelief. Was this America? Where were the skyscrapers, the traffic, the muggers? That was the America I had been presented with through movies and books in Kenya. Something was wrong!
While at WVWC
Grace was active at Wesleyan, and formed many lasting friendships. She was elected to serve on the Community Council.
Community Council consisted of representatives of campus organizations, the student body, administrators, faculty, and staff who were elected to facilitate communication among all the members of the campus community. Grace was elected to serve. Also serving at that time were Professor Reginald Olson and his wife, Barbara. The Olsons, active in civil justice issues, and Grace Imathiu serving together on the Community Council! How powerful. And what a foreshadowing of the work of Grace’s life.
As She Graduated in 1984
In Her Letter:
I will never know every person who pitched in to help me. I can not even imagine how I will ever repay you except to assure you that I will pass it on and help someone else in need one day.
And now after graduation one wonders, “what next?” After a struggle that goes back to the days of teaching Sunday School at sixteen, I have acknowledged and accepted God’s call to serve him in ministry. It has been a personal battle. I have always known I have been called and indeed I had made the commitment long ago to serve. Yet to also be chosen for the ministry is a little scary, but, oh, so exciting. Once every so often I have to jump up and close my eyes feeling so good. My cup runneth over.
As soon as I am settled into seminary, I will let you know where I am and how I am progressing. I thank you once again and ask you to pray for me as I take the first step in the direction God is leading me. May God continue to bless you.
She has certainly fulfilled the goal of helping others in need. Her steps have taken her across the country and across the globe.
Within just the past year,
Her strength and leadership was so helpful to many during the Special Session of General Conference in May 2019 – and after. Her work as a fierce ally for the LGBTQ community and gender equality (also the life work of the Olsons) has been powerful. She spoke out frequently and powerfully at meetings, gatherings, and on social media to encourage the inclusion of all.
While on a trip back to Kenya in the summer of 2019 to visit her parents, she received an invitation from Pastor Ken Mwita to come to the Moheto United Methodist Church, located in a very remote village, and to help them to know more about becoming a Reconciling Congregation in support of LGBTQ persons. This was the first church in Kenya to do such a thing, and Grace’s mentorship helped make it possible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic Grace, and the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Evanston, IL have prayerfully and creatively led worship online and have been reaching people far beyond Evanston – including our entire extended family. (Grace and my sister, Sarah, were friends at WVWC and have stayed in touch. They call each other Rafiki…the Swahili word for friend.) The services have been a combination of information, care, compassion, empathy, and respect which address the seriousness of the situation while providing a glimmer of hope through the teachings of the gospel.
This Week
During the past week, Grace’s Facebook posts have been full of pain and concern for the injustice and anguish of the nation and the world, but also for her own son (a brilliant and gentle mathematician). She has called for people like me to speak out about the injustice. Not just about recent events, but about hundreds of years worth of injustice and systems that allow it to continue. I am speaking out now in response to that request. Even though I can’t even begin to know or to imagine the full impact of the horrific injustices that have been perpetuated. Even though I have no words.
Once again this morning, Grace and her congregation in Evanston have managed to offer a worship service full of authentic and meaningful words and music. I give thanks each day for Grace Imathiu, and am also thankful that her journey brought her to Buckhannon all those years ago. I would encourage anyone who is hurting or struggling with the topics of injustice to check out this video.
Grace to you and peace.