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The Rev. Sheri Fry
Associate Pastor
Dear Friends,
Since May, severe weather has impacted communities across the nation. Storms, floods, and tornadoes have hit many states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and now our Colorado communities. Identifying with and assisting individuals and communities affected by disasters are ways we follow Jesus Christ. Many Presbyterians take part in Presbyterian Disaster Relief ministries by contributing funds through emergency channels as well as volunteering for cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Concern for those in distress after a calamity is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus was steeped in the Jewish tradition of holiness and instructed in the care of humanity. Matthew 25 spells out the obligation Jesus' followers have for those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, unclothed, or in prison. In the Great Commandment, Jesus tells us to love and care for our neighbors as we care for ourselves and the Apostle Paul uses "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" to sum up the whole religious law. The Church's disaster response is an expression of our faith, a confirmation of our discipleship, and a witness to our love for our neighbors. These disasters are opportunities for service, inviting us to our highest levels of compassion and concern. The theology of presence requires few words.
At this point in time, financial gifts remain the best way to help...it's fast, versatile, can be used whatever the need is, and it's small but mighty! HelpColoradoNow.org is a very good site to access a listing of organizations that can take your financial donations. You may also donate to the work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) at www.pcusa.org. A PDA arrives in Denver on Friday. This team will assess needs and ways we may be able respond. Thank you for your offers of help and your prayers of concern. They are much appreciated by all. May God continue to give strength, courage and hope in this time.
Peace
Sheri
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The Rev. Ian Gregory Cummins
Lead Pastor of Spiritual Life
Hello Everyone,
As details begin to trickle in of another tragic shooting, the emotional and spiritual wounds we carry from past shootings - Sandy Hook, Aurora, Columbine and so many others - are opened again. I can feel the way a part of me wants to avoid the news of the Washington Naval Yard shooting; a way of protecting myself, I suppose, from the hurt of acknowledging that this is the kind of world we live in. But, of course, denial of the problem won't make our world any safer.
At the beginning of this year we held two forums to discuss violence after the Sandy Hook shooting. The people who came to the second forum identified three broad areas of focus to begin working toward solutions - mental health, gun violence reduction, and working to make Park Hill safer. People on Montview's Community Organizing Ministry (MCOM) and Montview's staff continue to work on these focal points, but developing something tangible that we can bring to the congregation has proved challenging.
Jesus spoke often of the Kingdom of God - that place or time when the brokenness and distortions of humanity are made whole and God's will is done 'on earth as it is in heaven'. As Christians, we believe we are working toward that end; that this is the arc and direction of the human story. And we also know it won't be easy. We know that forces of greed, ignorance, and misplaced values (both around us and within us) will challenge our efforts at every turn. May the awful news in Washington remind us of the importance of keeping faith, and steel our determination once again to be instruments of healing and reconciliation.
Grace and goodness,
Ian
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