4th of July

Dear Friends,

As we approach the July 4th holiday, we are mindful of the ideals that our country was founded upon, justice, freedom and equality. And we are also aware that we have a long way to go in realizing our aspirations. This past year has been such an ordeal in so many ways and the collapse of the condo in Florida last week, was yet another blow to our national psyche.

As people of faith, we come together each Sunday to claim hope in the midst of despair, light in the darkness. It is so easy to turn inward during difficult times and it is important to actively resist that tendency. We need to come together as people of faith to claim the light in order to share that light with others.

I have been really inspired to read about the witness of the Jewish community in the aftermath of the condo collapse. Surfside is a largely Jewish community and Temple Menorah is is very close to the condo. They and other synagogues have been holding prayer services and ministering to the concrete needs of Jews and non-Jews alike, providing food, medicine and housing.

Our Jewish sisters, brothers and siblings in Surfside are offering a wonderful witness to our country about the importance of faith and the power of pulling together during difficult times and caring for one another.

Christian faith is built upon the foundation of Judaism. When Jesus was asked which of the commandments was the greatest he said that it all boils down to loving God with our whole being and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

I leave you with the Collect for Sunday and look forward to praying it with you this Sunday.

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Yours in faith, hope and love,

Shearon+