Hello Friends:

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Here’s how I opened my sermon yesterday: As bombs burst in air over Iran, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, we are learning of the death count. Leaders of Iran’s government, but also a school filled with children. Hundreds dead in the first 24 hours, and no end in sight for the bloodshed as the cycle of revenge spirals out of control. Never mind that the US constitution rests war powers with congress not the executive branch. Where is the opposition from within the ruling party? Meanwhile the Twin Cities remains occupied, the Epstein files are still redacted and hidden from view, healthcare remains unaffordable for too many, and we long for peace with justice to reign supreme. How many deaths will it take till they know that too many people have died?

 

Way before the bombing started, the Worship Planning Team decided to look at Progressive Christianity during Lent. The topic for this Sunday is how we love people who live on the margins of society. The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:27-35) is well-known, but the context is that the Hebrew people and the Samaritan people had centuries of conflict between them. Distrust is the nicest way to say it, but sometimes it manifested itself in war. What does it mean that Jesus lifts up an enemy as the embodiment of a good neighbor, especially today? My sermon is entitled, “Love on the Margins.” The UBC Carillon Bell Choir will play and Paula Moyer will be the worship leader.

 

This Sunday is International Women’s Day. It also coincides with the birthday of our beloved Pastor Emeritus Dr. Nadean Bishop. Hopefully, she will be on hand to help celebrate this day and look back on the 1993 Reimagining conference, which she helped organize, along with Pam Joern, Jerie Smith, Vicki Wilson, and dozens of others. That’s going to be the topic of the Forum on Sunday.

 

We have tapped our maple trees and it looks like we will be making our first batch(es) of maple syrup later on this week. The exact date is weather-dependent. But if you want to experience the process, give me a call at 763-242-6553. If you come and hang out with us, you go home with a jar of fresh maple syrup.

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​Blessings and Peace,

 

Doug Donley