Blessed are the peacemakers

“I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there.”

~ Mother Teresa

There are a ton of reasons why I felt stirred to start a new community of faith. One of those reasons had to do with the ways in which so many already-existing-churches were struggling to connect with their neighborhoods, welcome all & include everyone. Instead of constantly beating up on what hasn't been working (although I've done my fair share of that!), I wanted to help create an alternative.

I believed (& still do) that the best critique of the old or broken is the new.

I think that's what Mother Teresa was getting at when she spoke of peace. We are so quick to tell people what we are against, but when it comes to what we're for, it gets a little tougher. When we're "for" something, we better at the very least be moving in that direction. We best be praciticing what we preach.

If there is anything that most of us would agree we're in favor of, it's peace. We long to experience peace within, peace in our communities, peace between neighbors & nations. We know it's needed. We know people are dying for it - some of us are dying for it. Yet, we struggle to imagine peace, much less practice it.

As we continue moving through the gospel of Matthew, we will explore the kind of peace Jesus came to bring into the world. When it comes to peace, each of us has a story to tell & a part to play. Each of us has room to grow & learn. That's why I hope you'll join us during our Sunday gatherings in February. We meet at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. & people begin showing up at 10 a.m. for coffee & conversation. No matter where you've been, what you've done or what you're going through right now, you are welcome.

Peace & love,

Susan