On Pentecost Sunday, June 4, Matt Richards was our guest preacher. Matt has an M.Div/MSW from the University of Chicago. He’s Program Director of Care2Prevent at the U of C, where they take a holistice approach to providing comprehensive care and prevention education for young people living with HIV/STI and individuals who are most at-risk for new infections. A Gilead regular, he also shares a back porch with co-pastor Rebecca Anderson where they discuss theology and men.
He agreed to share his sermon and story here. From Matt's sermon:
"...I realize now that Rob—like all of us—needed new languages and stories for making sense of his vulnerability, of reconciling to a past that could not be changed, of finding peace in relationships with people that will never say the words of apology that we so badly need them to utter. I realize now that the stories we tell about our lives have the ability to harm us or to save us. They can make it easier or almost impossible to ask for the help that we need. Gilead talks about how stories can save lives. I wish I had realized that sooner."
Read the rest.
And if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, or would like emotional support, please reach out to us at info@gileadchicago.org or to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, at 800-273-8255.