A much-neglected dimension of the Christian life is how communal it is. We say, “Bee the Church!” That is, be the living community which is Jesus’ body: loving, working for justice, and welcoming.
In the Apostle Paul’s letters, he often begins with, “I thank God in all my remembrances of you.” His message starts with a positive approach. The word “encouragement” in his letters literally means to “give heart.” The Christian life is a team sport. Like any good team, the members of a congregation support each other as we work together for a common purpose.
As I get older, I have become more aware of special people who encouraged me at various times in my life, who “gave me heart” when I needed it. This Sunday, June 30, is a special opportunity to give heart to others in their faith journeys.
LGBTQ+ siblings know intimately the nature of being deemed an outcast. The clarion call for LGBTQ+ advocacy is reverberating from state capitol rotundas, family dinner tables, city streets, and church pews. Our proactive response, now more than ever, needs to be love, justice, and welcome. Bee the Church! I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as we celebrate Pride Sunday.
Shalom, Paul