Friends,
Toward the end of last week, I had what may have been the strangest and most disturbing interaction I’ve ever had on social media. This is saying something, because I have strange conversations on Facebook almost every day, and disturbing encounters on social media, for me, aren’t exactly uncommon, either, but last week a former Sunday school teacher of mine threatened to deport me to Tierra del Fuego. Which was weird.
The gentleman in question wanted me to know that “patriots” and sundry right wing militia types (this is more or less how he describes himself these days) are gathering names and addresses of “enemies of freedom” (of which I am one), and that those whose names are on the list would be forcibly removed to the nethermost reaches of South America, once Trump finishes building his “beautiful wall.”
This is not a threat I took seriously, but I do worry about what such language reveals about who we have become in the United States. Admittedly, there aren’t many folks among us who would actually like to see our offending neighbors and family members sent packing over political disagreements, but most of us do build emotional and spiritual walls to keep ourselves separate from those whose ideas and perspectives we don’t like.
I don’t know what to do about it, but I hope to have some ideas by Sunday, because I think my yet-to-be written sermon will wrestle with questions about how to be strong in our convictions, uncompromising in our dedication, and bold in prophetic proclamation without building walls that keep us separate from others. I’ll also tell a story or two more about my former Sunday school teacher.
I hope you will come to church on Sunday and, after you hear my sermon, I hope you will share with me your ideas about how to be steadfast on things that matter without causing division.
And speaking of showing up on Sunday, I want to thank everyone who comes to celebration. Showing up on Sunday morning is one of the very best ways you can support the work and ministry of MPC. When we have a full house on Sunday, our celebration has more power and when visitors show up, they will be more likely to come back for another Sunday if the pews are full. Strong attendance in celebration keeps us feeling vibrant and hopeful.
So I will see you Sunday! I look forward to getting feedback from you about my sermon.
God’s Peace,
Ben