Pastor's Paragraph - June 4, 2020
God is good, all the time.
We face two daunting challenges in the world our Leader loves and gave his life for: healing a novel corona virus and dismantling systemic racism. As with all daunting challenges, God is with us to guide us toward wise words and actions.
All the time, God is good.
We will pray for researchers to find a vaccine and treatment. We will pray for leaders to guide the wide-spread application of the treatment and vaccine when it is available. In the meantime, we do our part by taking the precautions to stem the spread, looking out for those most vulnerable and staying well to avoid overwhelming healthcare resources.
God is good, all the time.
We will pray for peace with justice for our community and nation. We will pray for wise and bold leadership to bring people together for greater understanding and to establish and implement policy that finally levels the playing field and truly fulfills the promise for "liberty and justice for all."
All the time, God is good.
In the Friedens community of faith, we have a God-given and congregationally approved Open and Affirming Covenant that articulates our commitment:
We at Friedens United Church of Christ affirm that all people are created in the image of God and are redeemed through Jesus Christ; and so, as loved children of God, all are worthy of God's love and grace. We recognize that in the history of the Church, as an institution, people have been marginalized, mistreated, and unwelcomed. We promise with God's help to dedicate our church, our ministries, and our leadership to extending an extravagant welcome, with access to the rites and sacraments of the church, and open to all persons, including but not limited to, every race, culture, ethnicity, economic status, marital status, education, background, age, physical and mental ability and attribute, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and political belief, as a safe place to be authentic. We commit to an on-going journey, pursuing a diverse and united community of faith and a spirit that works toward inclusivity, openness, and understanding, seeking justice, healing, and wholeness of life for all people.
God is good, all the time.
This covenant and all our ministry at Friedens are focused in keeping with a God-given and congregationally approved Mission and Vision Statement:
The church of Jesus Christ is called to serve the community and wider world (Matthew 25:34-36). Friedens UCC fulfills this calling with a mission of sharing the love of Christ with all people (Matthew 22:36-40). This mission is empowered by a commitment to inspire, train and mobilize disciples (Ephesians 4:11-13). We are called to be a church of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, sharing the gospel with all people, helping all understand, live it and tell it (Matthew 28:16-20). We feel a special calling to minister to children and youth in the community (Mark 9:36-37). This is a ministry all can be involved in. Every member and friend of Friedens is blessed and equipped with spiritual gifts from God and encouraged to use them in a related ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). We are striving to be a more compassionate community of faith, welcoming all to join us on the journey (Galatians 3:28).
All the time, God is good.
We have work to do: praying, fulfilling our covenant and putting into action our mission and vision.
God is good, all the time.
~Pastor Marc
