Wrestling with Angels: Faith, Defiance, and Freedom

How do we grow into moral and spiritual maturity? Often, it begins with defiance—not rebellion for its own sake, but the courage to think and choose for ourselves. Drawing on stories of Pandora, Lilith, and Jacob, this talk explores how resistance can mature into meaningful engagement, and what these ancient narratives mean for us today.

The Rev. Paula Morton is Rector Emeritus of Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Saluda, NC. She has been a full-time shelter volunteer in Atlanta, a parish priest in North Carolina, and a US Navy chaplain serving Marines. In each vocation, she has received more from those she served than they received from her. In all walks of life, people have questions, doubts, and deep sustaining faith. From them Paula has learned to boldly acknowledge her own questions, often “wrestling with angels” in her daily life as well as in her worship. She hopes her experience and her research into a few archetypal figures can help others continue to embrace the struggle and celebrate an increasingly mature faith.

The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be available on Facebook Live. To participate remotely, go to the ASWUU Facebook page and click the Live link.

We have a social hour after the service where the coffee and conversation are always rich. You may bring a dish to share if you would like to do so.

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