…from Pastor Jonathan

Dear church family,

This week I was anticipating the opportunity to spend time with my family and friends celebrating Memorial Day. That anticipation was shattered by the news of yet another mass shooting, this time in Uvalde, Texas. In all, since 2009 there have been 288 school shootings in our nation. That number is staggering.

Over the past two days, I have struggled to articulate how I feel. I have vacillated between heartbreak and anger. My heart breaks for the families, children, and larger community affected by this attack. I’m angered that we, as a nation, have not done more to address this epidemic of violence that threatens our children in places where they ought to be safe.

I don’t pretend to have answers for how to stop this violence, but I am tired of only praying for a solution. I believe it is time for change to better protect all of God’s people, especially children.

This Memorial Day weekend, as we remember those who have given their all for our freedom, also remember the grief and suffering we have seen this week (and 288 times before). May our faith not only give us peace and hope in these most tragic of times, may it also spur us on to do more and to do better for our children and for our community.

God bless,
Jonathan
For Jesus. For People. For Community.