July 16, 2024

Dear Church family, 

May the peace of Christ be with you. I have been wrestling with my words as I reflect on the unacceptable acts of violence that occurred this past weekend at the Trump campaign rally. I have restarted this letter too many times to count. After much prayer, I decided to speak from the convictions of my heart. My words may be messy, not politically correct, but they are faithful, real, and raw. 

Church family, we are called to be light in the darkness. We are called to put down our weapons and pick up our gardening tools. We are called to be a people of peace.

As a country, we have got to stop the violence and hate. I am deeply saddened by all the gun violence we are experiencing on a daily basis. Church, my heart breaks at the way we talk about one another in our political rhetoric. We have to learn how to break bread at the table again. 

First and foremost, we must remember we are all beloved children of God. Our unity is grounded in our belief that we are all part of the Body of Christ.

A discernment tool I try to use in my own faith walk, though I know I mess up at times, is to ask “is this helping or hurting the Body of Christ?” 

Before we hit post, ask ourselves - is this helping or hurting?

Before we hit send - is this helping or hurting?

Before we make a decision - is this helping or hurting?

We believe in the Prince of Peace! We proclaim that peace is possible because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore I ask us, how are we joining in the mission of peacemaking?

Next month through a sermon series we will explore peace as a family of faith. What is peace? How do we plant peace on rocky ground, when planting peace is hard? 

I invite you to join me in prayer about how God might be calling you to be light in the darkness, to be a people of peace. I pray for the grieving family of Cory Comperatore. I pray for Donald Trump and his family. I pray for our leaders. I also pray this day for the grieving, the hurting, and the wounded from all acts of violence. 

Church, it is past time. 

As disciples of Jesus Christ we are called this day and every day to participate in the hard, beautiful, messy, holy work of planting peace. May we put down our fists of violence, unclench our hands and take out our gardening tools. Will you join me? 

I share these words of prayer written by Reverend Emily Swan:

Spirit of Jesus, 

Kindle a global revival of empathy, justice, and active peacemaking. Birth a witness of love that is bigger and better than we inherited. Let us love more fully than we thought possible. Let us not be quick on the draw, ready to retaliate, escalate, assassinate. Let us stand for Love, with love, following the way of your Son as best we're able. Let us hear your voice and tangibly feel you with us. Let us discern your guidance. Let us abide in and with you. Amen. 

With love, 

Neeley