Trinity MCC

Pastoral Ponderings:

November 1st

As we look to November, I have to wonder what is in store for us.  There are so many things that we can look forward to and yet with the news over the past week or so, it is hard to have hope.  This week, many faith leaders came together to speak out against antisemitism and hate.  We issued a joint statement which I have copied below.  My prayer as we come into the last few days of the campaigning before the mid-terms election is that we can find ways to change the hateful rhetoric, that we can find ways to celebrate each other, across our political, theological and cultural differences and truly live out the example of Jesus.  We are called to love our neighbor, not just the neighbor we agree with, but those we disagree with too!

Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance statement against Anti-Semitism:
 
Last Saturday the nation was stunned by yet another hateful act of mass murder.  This was a hate crime; an antisemitic crime. A Jewish community in Pittsburgh were meeting in their place of worship to celebrate new life and now are mourning the loss of life.  As people of diverse faiths, we stand in solidarity with the Tree of Life Congregation and with Jewish communities across the nation, grieving this senseless loss and violence.
 
The hateful rhetoric that is escalating in our country has to be stopped.  The decision to practice patience, peace and love needs to start with our leaders and flow like a river through our communities.  Antisemitism is a reality across the globe and as an organization, we are united in condemning it. We can speak across politics, across differences in naming it for what it is - pure hatred.  People of faith need to feel safe in their place of worship and not, out of fear, feel compelled to hire extra security or arm themselves. 
 
Now is not the time to be silent. Now is not the time to be sit back and wait. The youth of today need to hear and see us model love for all humanity, speak out against injustice, and call for change.  
 
Therefore, we call on all people of our community to consider the actions we can take to move us toward a better, safer, more inclusive environment.  We can say no to hateful speech, especially from those who desire to represent us as elected officials in our community, state and our world. We can say yes to supporting each other, seeking the good for all humanity and especially for those who are most vulnerable to hate crimes.  We can speak and act courageously for the sake of our children, in pursuit of a day when none of them need to live in fear.  We have a responsibility for the future of the country and so we say no today to antisemitic behavior; if not us, then who?
 
As people of diverse faiths, we unite in opposition to antisemitism. Let us work together to change the rhetoric of hate that has become normalized in America.  Together we can proclaim that antisemitism and all forms of hate have no place in this community.  Together we can offer a different way – the way of peace, the way of respect, the way of love. If not us - who? If not now, when? 
 
Alachua County Faith Leaders Alliance

• Rev Andy Bachmann, Associate Minister, United Church of Gainesville
• Rev. Beth Farabee, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist of Gainesville
• Bonnie Zimmer, Co-Clerk, Gainesville Quaker Meeting
• Rev Catherine Dearlove, Senior Pastor, Trinity MCC Gainesville
• Rev Catherine Fluck-Price, Co-Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church
• Rev. Dr. Cathy Harrington, Interim Minster, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
• Rabbi David Kaiman, Rabbi, Congregation B’nai Israel, Gainesville
• Dr. Dennis Shuman, Gainesville Jewish Renewal Congregation
• Eve MacMaster, Pastor, Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Gainesville
• Rev Greg Magruder, Pastor, Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville
• Rev. Dr. Janet Claire Moore, Senior Minister, The Seraphim Center, Gainesville
• Dr. Jan Snyder, Center Director, Shambhala, Gainesville 
• Rev Larry Green, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Gainesville
• Rev. Lenora Rousseau, Associate Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church, Gainesville
• Father Les Singleton, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Micanopy
• Rev. Dr. Maureen Killoran, Unitarian Universalist (retired), Gainesville
• Rabbi Michael Joseph, Temple Shir Shalom, Gainesville
• Rev. Milford Lewis Griner, President, Bartley Temple United Methodist Church, Gainesville
• Saeed R Khan, Hoda Islamic Center, Gainesville
• Rev. Dr. Shelly Wilson, Senior Minister, United Church of Gainesville
• Rev Steve Price, Co-Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church
• Rev Talia Raymond, Associate Minister, United Church of Gainesville

Many blessings

Catherine

Office (352) 495-3378 or Cell (352) 317-5143