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                      PASTOR'S  MONTHLY  NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
            Pastor Jeff was struck with Covid in early February and has been out since that time. Please pray for his continued, and complete healing.  Pastor has been very plagued with fatigue and brain fog. He is improving and feeling better.  We do not have a return date yet. 

           He has not been up to submitting his newsletter article.  Below is his February article. Thank you for your patience. 
                                                                                                                           February  2023                                                                                                                           
          Brothers and Sisters, as I write this article, a new month has dawned around us.  As I was outlining my thoughts for this article, I was thinking of course, of Black History month. I had already set aside a quote and paragraph from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s, “Letter from the Birmingham Jail”.  In it, he referenced the term; “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Close quote.  How fitting and timely it was for me to read this quote on Friday, Jan 27. You see, I read it right after I watched the horrific beating of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. He was beaten to death by 5 “rogue” cops! How sad, anger “inducing” and ironic, that still; after all these centuries, our great, yet deeply flawed country and culture is still “grappling” with racism and violence shown toward minorities and people of color!            

         After watching the brutal beating of this sad innocent man. I read through most of Dr King’s letter, encouraging “us” to stand up and speak out for the oppressed and downtrodden. Be they people being wronged in America or anywhere on the planet. Key to his thoughts on racial justice is this central point. We citizens of America are “intrinsically” connected to God and all of humanity. As such we are called and commanded to love one another and support the downtrodden and the oppressed.            

        That is why “all” people of faith and belief, be we Baptist, Buddhist, Methodist or Mormon. Muslim or Jew. Adventist or even atheist. Should stand up, speak out and protest when needed. To show support for those being “brutalized” by racist, corrupt systems and institutions. I finished most of Dr. King’s long letter on racial justice, then re-read our Old Testament reading for Sunday worship, Jan 29. In it the 8th Century prophet Micah gave humanity, a model for how we children of God should walk and live in this world. Micah tells us, as children of God, and potential citizens of Heaven. We are to: “Do Justice, Love Kindness and walk humbly with our God”.            

         People of God, as you go forth into the month of February, stay strong, stay faithful. And remember God’s not done with America, the world, or the Church!  I close this article with a “contextual” paragraph on Dr. King’s quote on our common need to work for racial justice everywhere.  Be in Seattle, Boston, Denver, or even Memphis. There in the Jail in Birmingham, Dr King said:           

        “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

       “Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham.  Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.  Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea.  Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” Close quote.  

        Brothers and Sisters, may we the family of faith here at Fremont Baptist Church, continue to pray, work and witness for God’s love and justice, here in our community.  In memory or Jesus, Micah and Dr King!
                                           Peace be with you all. Pastor Jeff

P.S. If you would, please go online and read the entire “Letter from the Birmingham Jail”.  It is a classic lesson on the pursuit of Racial Justice.