Sweeping Up the Glass & Picking Up the Peace

Thank you to all of those who have reached out to ask how folks at Beavercreek UCC are doing. If you haven't heard, the church was vandalized by someone who threw rocks through some of their windows. They did have safety glass over their stained glass, which minimized the damage. They also have security cameras, and a witness who gave the Sheriff a description of the individual and of their truck. 

The beautiful thing I want you to know about is the response from the members of Beavercreek UCC. Of course they were rattled, but they are also resolved to continue being a beacon of God's inclusive love and justice in rural Oregon. Pastor Coqui said, "We had a peace protest scheduled in our parking lot Saturday morning, and when people arrived they found the damage. So, they swept up some of the glass, and went out to the parking lot with their signs. We weren't going to let that stop us." 

They also saw this vandalism as an opportunity to amplify their prophetic voice. The reason many of you have heard about the event is because two Portland TV stations picked up the story. And the story on Channel 12 had an amazing, unexpected ripple effect. Later that week, one of our other Oregon churches had a new visitor at a midweek Bible study. The visitor said, "I saw the story about the UCC church in Clackamas County, and I was horrified by the vandalism, but I was also impressed by the church's message of love and inclusion. I wanted a church like that, so I found you."

Last November, I reminded you of Jesus' words, "Fear not, little flock, for your Loving Parent delights in giving you the Kin-dom.” I reminded you that Jesus said these words to his disciples in the same chapter where he talks about the dangerous times they lived in. I also reminded you that God's Kin-dom is not like the kingdoms of this world that rely on malice, exclusion, coercion, hate. God's Kin-dom exists in all the places where people love. It is also powerful and insidious like a bad apple that can spoil a whole barrel.

Our faith in God's Kin-dom has continued to be tested in the months since November. The kingdoms of this world have moved farther toward embracing and worshipping selfishness (which is the opposite of love). The lives of God's vulnerable children have become more dangerous. The new U.S. government has done everything it can to send messages of hate, and to remove the tools we use to love our neighbors. However, Christ's call remains the same. 

Thank you for continuing to love your neighbors, and for making sure as many people as possible survive to the day when the current Regime of Selfishness crumbles. Thank you for creating new tools to love when the old tools are taken away from you. Thank you for looking for the opportunities to amplify your voice for justice. Thank you for sweeping up the glass and picking up the signs of peace. 

The world needs you to be the church now more than ever – and you never know who might see your bravery and join with you in the struggle for love and justice.

Yours in the Kin-dom,
Tyler