What’s Going on at the Church
“Weighing Truth and Life”
When one scrolls through some of the social media posts there are many that express the deep divides between political and religious factions. What’s interesting are the grievances towards those who are advocating for the rule of law, the constitution, women’s rights, and LGBTQ persons. They claim that those advocates are “hating the haters” which puts them in the same boat as the radical left folks. John Pavlovitz has written a response that’s worth considering.
“Whenever I speak up in defense of discrimination towards marginalized people, or the people targeted in hate crimes, or take one side in the latest culture war topic, people say, “You’re being hateful.” I’m chastised for “causing dissension, erecting barriers or inciting conflict”. But that isn’t what’s happening here. I’m choosing to love in a specific way.
I love migrant children enough to be sickened watching them waste away in internment camps separated from their parents and families. I love the families of the victims of gun violence, enough that I want to do something so that no one has to bury people they love prematurely. I love refugee families enough to want to help alleviate their terrors, not multiply them. I love LBGTQ human beings enough to be horrified by religion being weaponized by politicians and preachers to make these people monsters who deserve persecution. I love physically ill people enough to get really pissed off when they have to create a GoFundMe page to pay their medical bills and provide for their families. I love Americans and non-Americans; people who don’t look or talk or worship or love like me; people of every orientation, and race and belief system and nation of origin. I love human beings if they are white and Republican and Christian and born here- and even if they’re not.
The only people I have a problem with are those who see compassion as a character flaw. But rather that try to convince people otherwise, I’m simply going to keep living the way I’ve been taught to live. I’m going to strive to see those who aren’t seen and heard and pull up a chair for them. I’m going to confront my privilege and learn what someone else’s story has to teach me about inequity. I’m going to demand that people not be penalized for where they’re from or how poor they are. I will affirm that religion of any worth always makes more room, not less, heals wounds instead of inflicting them, demolishes walls between diversity instead of fortifying them, and abhors violence instead of cultivating it.
Love is still the greatest weapon we have in the face of fear. Opposing hate isn’t hateful. It is how we embody love.”
Blessing and Peace, Ed
The Family Dinner will begin at 4 PM for apps and games! Then we will sit together as a family and enjoy a meal prepared by all of us in POT LUCK fashion at 5 PM.
A sign-up sheet will be located in Davis Hall. You can choose to bring an appetizer, veggie, side-dish, or main dish. Session will supplement the meal with a couple extra main dishes. Please make enough for your family plus 2 people. If you miss the sign-up sheet, please email or call Elder Sue.
Looking to donate to our thrift sales?
If you have any furniture to donate, please take a photo of what you have and send the photos to office@1stpresrahway.org. At this time, we’re not accepting clothes or shoes.
Members usually work on Wednesday’s for our sales from 10:30 am -1:30 pm. If that’s not a convenient time for you to drop off donations, other arrangements can be made. Please email the church office and your request will be forwarded to the “sales crew” so they can respond to your inquiry.
As always, thank you to all who donate. Our sales have been a great success this year because of you!
Important Message from the USRC Board of Directors:
Please read these guidelines about Squier Hall and the formation of the USRC Board of Directors, who will be overseeing the groups meeting in Squier.
As part of the guidelines, please use this form if you have any concerns so that they can be addressed.
Interested in Getting Involved?
We have a lot of different ways for you to get involved – short-term projects, one-time opportunities, working with our livestream technology on Sundays, plus much more. Click on the button below to see what we have on our ‘volunteer wish list’. As more opportunities become available, we will be sure to update our listings.