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.
