Dear friends and (former) Diaconal Ministers,

I sit in my house tonight reflecting on all of our community gatherings as well as my DMFE. Tears are streaming down my face as I give thanks for this community; a place where I’ve always felt seen, known and extremely loved. You all are such a gift and blessing in my life and will continue to be that as we say goodbye to one community and open our hearts to a new one. Yet because we’ve loved, we also grieve. (How fitting that our community list serve closes in the midst of Lent)

I remember leading my small group at the January 2010 DMFE with such great joy. But then the Haiti earthquake happened and we mourned the loss of Warburg seminary student Ben Larson. My small group led evening worship that night. We played Ben’s version of Psalm 30 as people came into worship that night. And today, it is the verse that has been playing in my heart and mind. “Weeping may come for the night but joy comes with the morning.”

A new morning is dawning, friends. A new morning where together with our other word and service friends, we will bear “diakonia” into this broken world. We will continue to be pioneers; pioneers who bridge the gap and serve beyond the church doors.

My mom, as many of you know, has been the ultimate example of diakonia in my life. She taught me what it means to pick up basin and towel and wash the feet of all God’s people. And you, my friends, also have taught me the many ways to love and serve all God’s people. You will always hold a special place in my heart.

I close tonight remembering the words to one of my fave verses “But what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.”–Micah 6:8

Let us walk humbly into a new community; a new community born out of the ashes of an old community. A new community that I trust God will use for Gods glory in many new ways.

Thanks be to God for what was and what is yet to come.

Love your sister in diakonia,

Tara Ulrich
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