October 11, 2023 Weekly Update
The colors of autumn are all around us. God’s paintbrush seems to be on full display!
For many, it’s an exciting and dazzling time of year. But many of us are also experiencing grief, heartbreak, and anxiety because of local and world events. The violent terrorist attack in Israel has resulted in the most Jews killed since the holocaust. Images of innocent civilians murdered are awful, and the world seems to be just steps away from more war and violence. Recent earthquakes in Afghanistan have killed thousands. Our own government narrowly avoided a shutdown, but the threat of another possible shutdown looms over our local neighbors employed by the Federal Government.
Today is also National Coming Out Day, a day that marks an occasion for folks in the LGBTQ+ community to be proud of who they are. It’s also a chance for affirming congregations like ours to strengthen our resolve to love, defend, and cherish our LGBTQ+ neighbors and friends in a valley where they often feel marginalized and threatened.
Current events like these remind us why the church is so vital to our modern lives. We are a vessel of God’s love to pray for and make peace, to care and support the oppressed, and advocate for justice and a new kind of kin-dom. The cartoon above reminds me that the church is special because of the company we gather around us on the journey of life. We support and care for one another, and we work together by the power of God’s spirit to offer Christ’s reconciling love to the world. Grace & Peace – Pastor Jared