The Church of the Larger Fellowship is a teaching congregation. Each year, we welcome intern ministers to our staff and community, they serve our church for a two-year fellowship. We call these intern ministers “Learning Fellows.” Learning Fellows come from all walks of life, with many backgrounds and experiences. They bring rich teachings and passions to our community. We learn from them as much as we teach them. We are grateful to be a part of their ministerial formation journey.

The following prayer was written by one of our 2023 Learning Fellows, JeKaren Olaoya.

Prayer for Survival

by JeKaren Olaoya

To the God of many names and faces
We pray.
We ask for mercy as we look ahead
Unsure of our path
But clear in our need
To feel safe.
To feel whole.
To feel held.

We ask for time as we move
Planning as we go
For things that matter deeply
To find joy.
To find hope.
To find community.

We ask for warmth as we are solitary
Connecting through screens
Touching hearts without hands

To stop loneliness.
To stop hurting.
To stop silence.

All of these things we ask
From each of us
In our own way
With our own spirits
As we survive.
Amen.

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