June 2022 Pastor’s Letter

From the Desk of Pastor Melissa

Dear Friends,

Bishop Karen Oliveto quoted John Wesley who wrote: “If your heart is as my heart, take my hand.” She went on to ask, “Whose hands do you hold? Whose lives do you love enough to seek justice for?”

Jesus prayed, “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one” (John 17:20-21).

Friends, so often we are missing the mark in our conversation. We focus just shy of what needs focusing on, and we fail to ask the questions that need answering. We debate to win and forget to dialog to understand each other. What is often lost is compassion and we end up attacking each other when we should be working together.

We can do so much more together than we can do apart. For years, a sign has hung in my home which reads, “We may not have it all together-but together we have it all.” When we are together, we can walk side by side. We can speak and we can listen. We can inspire one another and respond to one another.

We can love one another. Loving each other as we love God. Jesus said that was the greatest thing we can do. Behaving this way is expected by Jesus, commanded by Jesus.

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, it wasn’t a single church of believers. His letter was written to a bunch of house churches who all thought they were the best house church, with the most awesome leader. That is why he wrote, “What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I belong to Cephas,’ or ‘I belong to Christ’“ (1 Corinthians 1:12). And that is why he had to appeal to his brothers and sisters, “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Recently, I was reminded that I should always be asking, “Does this further God’s kingdom? Will my actions, my words, my decisions hurt or help the cause of Christ?”

Jesus Christ is our Lord. His way must be our way. His compassion must be our compassion. We are each created in the image of a loving God. We are sustained by the Holy Spirit—who was promised to remind us of all Jesus said. In John 14, Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you-my peace I give to you”.

In these chaotic days, let us remember who we are—Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, and God’s children. Finally, may we trust in God’s Holy Spirit who sustains us and encourages us to live in peace.

We’ll talk again soon,

Pastor Melissa