Dear Friends in Christ,
Essential to the practice of our faith is the concept of Lovingkindess. Lovingkindness is a word that the early translators made up as they were translating the Hebrew word hesed into English. It combines the meaning of several words into one: steadfast love, mercy and faithfulness. It hints at the quality of forebearance. Lovingkindness describes attributes that are essential to our understanding of God. It also insists that if we are to consider ourselves to be faithful to God, we too are expected to be loving and kind in return. The psalmist says this in Psalm 92:
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:
To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
Our current political climate is providing many opportunities for us to be loving and kind. As opportunities that were developed to give a diverse group of people a helping hand are no longer available, our efforts to reach out to our neighbors become more welcome and more important. St Anne’s Parking Lot Ministry and Zion’s collaborations with La Primera Iglesia Bautista del Norte, our shared Grandma’s Garden programs are examples of what we do. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be opportunities for us to continue to share our good fortune with those who have less than we do.
I found this on the website of the Church of Redeemer, Cincinnati, Ohio. Their Rector, Phillip DeVaul writes:
I dream of a world where Christians are known primarily for being merciful, forgiving, non-judgmental, humble servants of all people. You know: Like Jesus – the one whom we purport to follow. I dream of a world where Christians are looked at as radicals for our insistence in the dignity of every human being, who spend our time, energy and power seeking to lift up others. I dream of us being known for loving people as they are.
His dream is ours as well.
Faithfully yours,
Rebecca
Congratulation to Nolan and Grant Dyke who were baptized at Zion last Sunday.