The ministry of presence
Photograph by Sage Friedman via Unsplash
Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil
How might we see evidence of unity, of love, and of peace? As we meander the streets in our respective neighborhoods and attempt to enter spaces where hospitality might not be spoken from the heart, we may ponder on that question. How do our eyes catch love? Where has unity been showcased in truth? What does peace look like amid chaos, lament, despair, and anxiety? As these questions swirl in my heart and yours, God reminds us of lived miracles. The season of remembrance shall be the oil needed today for our lamps. Here are a few examples of how the ministry of presence, to sit with, walk with, grieve with, and stand with each other has been evidence of unity, love and peace.
At a recent workshop presentation I attended at Trinity Church NYC, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis invited two special guests to share with the audience what friendship has meant for them and to describe what the power of showing up looks like. Rev. Eric Manning, senior pastor of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina and Rabbi Hazzan J. Myers, rabbi and cantor for the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have shown up for each other and walked the path of friendship for several years. Two faith leaders from two different faith traditions, they found a way to be bridge builders on behalf of their neighborhoods when God said to boldly be present with. Tragic acts of violence, deep suffering, and lived trauma in their respective houses of worship were the catalysts for being in each other’s presence, for starting to journey a unique path with grief and to trust all that God was sowing in their hearts. We can say that they found commonalities and did not linger on differences. Might God be asking us to lean into holy unity and hope as we sit with lament?
Earlier this fall, in September 2025, St Peter’s Square at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, hosted international musicians for a concert called “Grace for the World,” in honor of the Vatican’s jubilee year. Music and lyrics touched many hearts. Artists came from near and far for one purpose, one goal. They came to show unity with their voices. Might have God displayed the meaning of global love, if only for a couple of hours, through global melodies?
How might we, people of many nations and tribes be the threads to weave peace? How might we hear the drum call for strength and courage amid the cacophony of divisive rhetoric?
For the past eighteen months, I have been serving as a volunteer at a local mission, serving meals to local healthcare providers who attend to a diverse group of patients. All involved come from different faith traditions and represent diverse heritages and walks of life. All who gather at the community tables to eat of the bounty that has been prepared for them show up with gratitude in their hearts. For an hour or so, strangers break bread and give thanks for hot meals received. They welcome strangers at community tables. Might God be weaving the colorful threads of humanity of God’s beautiful compassionate image at these community tables?
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we are reminded of the call to unity in humility. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:23 NIV). The Message version emphasizes the spirit of unity through holy mending: “I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”
How might we, people of many nations and tribes be the threads to weave peace? How might we hear the drum call for strength and courage amid the cacophony of divisive rhetoric?
My humble invitation to all of us, is to keep our eyes open to the pearls of wisdom we hear and notice, that keep guiding our steps of courageous unifying presence. The many footprints and handprints from members of our cloud of witnesses are our guiding lights. May we never stop standing, however we choose to do so, for all who cannot walk or stand with freedom at this time. We are the hands and feet of Christ, called for such a time to be present with humanity. We are each other’s lighthouses who valiantly, intentionally, and courageously shine our light of truth in all seasons and especially in foggy weather and stormy winds. Somos faros de Dios. Nous sommes les phares du monde. We are God’s lights, evidence of unity, of love and of peace in our neighborhoods, cities, and around kitchen tables. Let us be present with humanity.
An ordained minister with ABC-USA, Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil serves as a Ministry Coach and Women’s Group Retreat Facilitator with the Center for Career Development & Ministry. Fluent in English and French, she has had cross-cultural lived experiences in several countries in Africa, Europe and North America. Rev. Sandra is a published author of three devotionals, “Walk with Generosity,” “Beacons of Hope” and “Luces de Esperanza,” as well as co-author of a leader’s guide for leaders of short-term mission teams of volunteers, “Short-Term Mission Team Essentials – Together on The Journey.”
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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