Much has happened since I left to take my brother home from Florida to Michigan in the last week. I am very grateful to Fr. Doug Johnson and his wife Sue for their celebration of the Eucharist last Sunday. We are truly blessed and thankful for their willingness to be a part of our parish celebrations and be willing to serve. Their commitments do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. May God truly bless them as they are blessing us! I am also grateful for our parish who continues to pray for my brother Bill Lynch in his recovery from pneumonia and his battle with COPD.

Regarding the aftermath of the unprecedented death of Mr. Floyd, the protesting and the violence; we cannot be silent as people of faith to not cry out for reform and changes in the way we respect the dignity of all people. Unless we can walk in the shoes of people of color and other marginalized people, and know what it must be like to live in fear or to be de-humanized, then we have no reason to be surprised by the behaviors of the last two weeks and more. We should not be offended when we hear comments about privilege. Regardless of the color of our skin, race or creed, when we use privilege to dehumanize another person, we have violated Christ's call to love one another as God loves us. We are all children of God, made in God's image. It is time that we name this disease and that we take appropriate actions that lead to reform of our laws and behaviors, so all people share the same rights and privileges in this country, if not the world.  Many of us lived through segregated times. Our previous older generation is not alone for how we got where we are today. If we do not rise up to do what is right, then we too are complicit in our silence. I do not proclaim to have the answers to how we as a parish, or even as individuals can make a formidable difference, but I do know that it is our obligation to work for reform, reconciliation and forgiveness. When the time comes to vote for changes that will truly make differences, not only for people of color, but all people who are oppressed because they are different in orientation from others, we must do the right things to make the right changes.   There is no going back to what it was like before these violent actions occurred, just like there will be a new normal for being safe in the midst of sickness and disease. As a white male, I do not feel guilty for what has taken place in my lifetime so far, but I know I have an obligation to act on behalf of those who need to be recognized as equal human beings. I am personally truly sorry for the events that have taken place in the distant and recent past. I will continue to proclaim our baptismal covenant and follow Christ's call to love my neighbor to the best of my abilities, and to encourage all who listen to do likewise. During this hyper-emotional time, radical changes are being demanded, perhaps unrealistically, but not without consideration and merit to be a more just and righteous community of people. I ask our prayers for our public safety personnel, who for the greatest part, work to serve our communities rightly and justly. Unfortunately, as we have too often experienced, a few horrible actions by a few irresponsible people, have tainted the majority of good in our public law enforcement and public safety agencies.

      

In our early beginnings as the Episcopal Church in the United States, our predecessors condoned slavery along with the leadership of the colonies that formed who we are today. We, as a national church body, have since through several and many resolutions at General Conventions of the Episcopal Church (TEC), have resolved to ask forgiveness and provide acknowledgement of our past racial sins. Now as TEC, we have an obligation to fight for the rights of all human beings and to respect their dignity and respect the people for who they are, equally as children of God. What does that mean for the people of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Blue Springs, MO? It means we need to live into our baptismal covenant and stand up for the marginalized. This means being a body of people to affect the changes that are necessary for real reforms not only in the governmental bodies and agencies who serve on behalf of communities, but also in our cultures and traditions that have for so long repressed many people in our society. Our Episcopal diocese, along with our neighboring dioceses and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be standing in solidarity with each other to proclaim our place in assisting others to make the necessary reforms with in our own church bodies and our communities for the sake of abolishing racial and other human discrimination. As parishes realize the opportunities in our own communities, we will be requested to participate in enacting reform and become leaders as Christians to treat all people with dignity and respect. I know that this message will preach to a choir of people who are just and righteous in loving our neighbors, and who, without prejudice care for others as they would their own family. I am obligated as your priest and rector to raise up the message for change and reform to be a people of God, and to be a people responsive to Christ's call for LOVE. I ask your prayers for God's grace as we move forward with others in our community to affect changes that will truly reflect that love for all people.

                                                      

With Christ as my guide....   Fr. David

We need some additional Gardening  Angels to maintain the church gardens!

Volunteers take turns watering and caring for out beautiful plants and flowers.  A schedule makes it easy to know when it's your turn.

Please call Gabe at 816-392-5927 to help. 

Non-symptomatic people are infected with COVID-19 but not showing any symptoms of the virus.

Non-symptomatic people can be divided into two groups:  (a) Pre-symptomatic --  people who are infected that will eventually develop symptoms; and (b) A-symptomatic -- people who are infected but will never develop symptoms.

Ample evidence shows Pre-symptomatic people commonly infect others.  However, there is  confusion regarding the transmission of COVID-19 in A-symptomatic people because of a recent statement by the World Health Organization.

The reality is there is not enough data to know for certain right now.  About 45% of A-symptomatic people never become symptomatic and it is impossible for anyone to determine whether someone is Pre-symptomatic or A-symptomatic.

Therefore, your behavior should be the same, It is essential to continue standard public health measures of wearing masks, social distancing, good hand hygiene and assessing your personal risk of participating in activities.

Please click here for more information.

Please review different ways to  send your contribution to the Church under the  give tab on our church website.  You can mail a check to the church, use Zelle, use your bank's Bill Pay service or now pay us by credit/debit card.   We also have a dropbox for payments affixed to the  wall just outside the ground level parking lot door for folks to leave payments.