Worship: Sundays at 8:15 am | 9:40 am | 11:00 am, Wednesdays at 6:35 pm, Fridays at 7:00 pm

 

 

Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

 

During Black History Month and this time of Lent my thoughts have been turning to a childhood friend.  She is black and I am white and we attended school together from grade school through high school.

 

I recall a conversation we had during grade school as we were walking together.  I invited her to my home to play.  She hesitated and tried to explain that my parents and others may not accept this idea because of our difference in race.  This was my first experience with the concept of discrimination.  I felt confusion, disappointment, fear and anger.  This was not right and did not make sense to me.  As I questioned her further she suggested I ask my parents about the idea of her visiting my home.  My parents struggled with their response because at heart they were kind and accepting people.  I sensed they did not agree with the reality of how our society dealt with relationships between races.  My friend never came to my home. 

 

My friend went on to win a Fulbright Scholarship, became a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, was the first black and youngest National Poet Laureate, and is a Professor of English at the University of Virginia.  I emailed her to obtain her permission to write about our experience for this devotional.  We have not been in contact for forty five years.  I was pleased she remembered me and her response included this eloquent observation: "The intense truths of childhood -- so many years have passed, so many things have happened since; yet such moments remain undiluted."

 

When faced with confusing, challenging and frustrating events and relationships, including those close to home and throughout the world we need to endeavor to respond to:

 

Prejudice with Acceptance,

Injustice with Humanity,

Violence with Peace, and

Hate with Love.

And when all else fails ask yourself what would Jesus say or do?

 

Matthew 22:37-39 "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

 

Marian Boyle

Contact Marian Here  

 

 

 

Holy Week in the Trinity Chapel @ Noon:  Stop in each day for a 40 minute service to bring focus to this week of weeks.  Order of Worship will include - Greeting/Welcome, Prayer, Hymn, Homily (15 minutes), Closing music, Closing Prayer.  Guest Speakers - Monday, March 30 - Margaret Jones; Tuesday, March 31 - Elise Caton; Wednesday, April 1 - Orvin Jenkins; Thursday, April 2 -Margaret Myers; Friday, April 3 - Rev. Esther & Rev. Aaron.

 

Trinity United Methodist Church
4000 NW 53rd Ave | Gainesville, FL 32653
352.376.6615
TrinityGNV.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm