Jesus gave her water and it wasn’t from the well!

John 4 - Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well and breaks down, ethnic, gender, and religious barriers by having a conversation with her.

Jesus Gave Me Water

Song by Sam Cooke

Whoa, Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)And it was not in the well

Well, there was a woman from SamariaCame to the well to get some waterThere she met a stranger who did a story tellThat woman dropped the pitcher she was drinkingWas made richer from the water He gave herAnd it was not in the well, whoa

Yes, He (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)He gave (He gave me water) that woman water (He gave me water)Gave her livin', (He gave me water) lovin', lastin' water (He gave me water)And it was not in the well

Well, on that woman He had pityShe ran back to the cityCrying, glory, Hallelujah!And did His wonders tellShe left my Savior singingShe came back to Him bringingThe time she had her water, LordAnd it was not in the well, whoa

Yes, (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave that woman water (He gave me water)Gave her (He gave me water) that livin', lovin', lastin' water (He gave me water)Water (He gave me water, He gave me water)And it was not in the well

Well, Lord, that woman left him shoutin'There was no room for doubtin'That she had made her SaviorWho did His wonders tellEvery time she'd doubt HimShe'd start to think about HimThe man who gave her that water, LordAnd it was not in the well, whoa

Yes, (he gave me water) he gave her water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)Hey, (He gave me water) we give that woman water (He gave me water)Gave her (He gave me water) that lovin', lastin' water (He gave me water)Water, (He gave me water) water, water, water, lovin' water (He gave me water)And it was not in the well

March - Women’s History and Contribution Awareness Month

This year, our Reconciling In Christ Core Team is highlighting a different justice focus each month. March is Women’s History and Contribution Awareness Month — a time to give thanks for the faith, courage, leadership, and service of women throughout the Church and in our own community.

The Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celebrates a historic milestone: the election of Rev. Dr. Phyllis Milton as its first female bishop and first African American bishop. Her election represents more than a milestone. It reflects resilience, deep scholarship, pastoral wisdom, and a Spirit-led commitment to justice and inclusion.

Bishop Milton has faithfully served congregations across Virginia, including Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Portsmouth, First Lutheran Church in Norfolk, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and School in Hampton. She has also served as Synodical Minister for Christian Formation for the Virginia Synod.

Born in Levelland, Texas, Bishop Milton earned degrees from South Plains College and Morgan State University with highest honors, along with graduate degrees in business and Christian education. She holds a doctorate in Church Leadership Development and Organizational Systems and completed her Lutheran studies at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. In addition to parish ministry, she has worked as a Christian education consultant and adjunct faculty member.

As we give thanks for Bishop Milton’s leadership, we also honor the countless women, named and unnamed, whose faithfulness has shaped our Church. May we continue to uplift and affirm women in every expression of ministry, trusting the Spirit to lead us toward a more just, inclusive, and faithful future.

Anthony Carter’s Hard-Earned Hope

As we close out Black History and Culture Awareness month, we highlight yet another inspiring and modern figure. Anthony Carter is a writer, retired chief diversity officer at Johnson & Johnson, and former press secretary to New York City Mayor, David Dinkins. In his new memoir “This I Know,” Carter shares his principles for a life of faith and optimism, and why he believes diversity is the very design of God.

Below is an excerpt from an interview he gave with his Alma mater, published in Fordham Magazine.

In New Memoir, Anthony Carter Shares Hard-Earned Hope

February 26, 2026; By Franco Giacomarra

You built a distinguished career on your expertise and passion for diversity in and beyond the workplace. As attitudes and practices continue to change, do you feel you retired just in time or too soon?

There’s never an end to cultural diversity. It includes the differences, the thoughts, the perspectives, the ideas, the values of different people. When that is all harmonized together, it just makes beautiful music.

It is disturbing that we’re defining the context now as something that’s disruptive and not allowing other folks to exist. Diversity in itself is pure. It encompasses every one of us, and when you look at multiculturalism in a room, or “that gorgeous mosaic” that David Dinkins used to talk about, and you start tapping into different perspectives, it brings such richness and harmony to whatever that outcome is supposed to be.

“Diversity isn’t a challenge to overcome—it’s the very design of God, and a strength that makes us more whole”
—Anthony P. Carter, from This I Know: Principles for a Life of Faith and Optimism

Anthony and Wendy Carter smiling during cocktail hour — Carter with his wife, Wendy, at the annual Fordham Founders Scholarship Dinner. Photo by Chris Taggart

Communion

by Rob Hardy

There’s no bread.

The bakers have gone into hiding.

The seats at the table are empty.

The Twelve are marching with the thousands.

The streets are filled with a new song.

Only Judas sits at Target Plaza, counting his silver, while Pontius Pilate issues a carefully-worded statement.

Meanwhile the centurions have quotas to fill.

But out on the streets there’s a Communion.

Jesus takes the city in his hands and says,

“This is my body, broken for you.”

Rob Hardy

2nd February, 2026

Honoring Black Voices Through Music and Poetry

During our February discussion group, we explored how Black voices have shaped American culture throughout history. Much of our conversation centered on the profound influence Black artists have had on nearly every genre of American music — and how often those foundational contributions have been overlooked, minimized, or erased. We were struck by when many of these works were created and by how powerfully they still resonate today, reminding us that progress toward racial equity has been uneven and incomplete.

Together, we asked difficult questions: Why do societies so often fail to learn from the harms of the past, allowing injustice and division to persist? What is it about fear — of difference, of not belonging — that leads us to construct hierarchies instead of communities?

As Maya Angelou reminds us, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

Watch this short video from National Day of Racial Healing: Can we end racism? Two African Americans weigh in and share how they are healing.

(Click on the images above to see examples of their artistic gifts to us)

February is Black History and Culture Awareness Month

In 2026, our RIC team is highlighting a different inclusion and justice topic each month. February is Black History and Culture Awareness Month, and we will gather to celebrate the rich artistic, cultural, and spiritual contributions of Black and African American communities that have shaped our shared life and faith.

At the same time, we acknowledge the painful history of racism, inequity, and oppression in both our nation and the church. We invite you to explore this resource from the National Day for Racial Healing to deepen your understanding of how we arrived here and how we can move forward together toward genuine racial equity.

Have Hope

In the wake of events occurring in the city of Minneapolis, MN we look for spiritual guidance on how to offer support and solidarity for our neighbors experiencing unfathomable fear and injustice.

Reading from Matthew this morning, the Holy Spirit offered this.

Matthew 12:18-21 (CSB) 18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory. 21 The nations will put their hope in his name.

I know that verse is directly meant for Jesus. But is it possible for us to recognize other people in that verse? When I read it I also think about Martin Luther King, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. They were flawed of course, and not perfect as Jesus; but certainly they had the Spirit of the Lord upon them? And certainly their messages gave hope. I too have hope.