Hi everyone,
As I write this, the church is buzzing with children, leaders, volunteers and soon-to-be guests experiencing a taste of the arts. I see so many different kinds of creations and hear the sounds of singing and ukulele. This is the stuff of childhood summer memory-making, camp relationships, and leaders learning to be leaders
At the same time the family of Pat Munroe is working together with us to create an event to celebrate his life on Sunday afternoon. Pat would love the sights and sounds of Highlands this week. He would love that children have a home here and the radical loving space that is made for them.
At the same time I am thinking about Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz in the final episode of our 4 part mini-series ending this Sunday. They made family where there was none and where the culture and society did not make that easy. They needed to use every bit of their influence and ingenuity, throwing their lot in with each other even against the odds, in order to make a family happen. They created a chosen family- a family of the heart.
All this is very reminiscent of Jesus’ Way. He brought together people who didn’t normally come together, and set love, radical love, as the unifying standard. He called it the Kingdom of God. Martin Luther King Jr called it beloved community. It is why the church exists – to embody beloved community. Every time the church community even comes close, it is because God has come close.
I look forward to seeing you in beloved community on Sunday.
Blessings, Will