Dear St. Lukers,
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 23 years since the tragedy of 9/11. For many of us, we remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when a plane streaked through a beautiful clear sky and hit the World Trade Center. We will never forget. When we finally realized what was happening as religious extremists committed terrorist attacks on our country, I couldn’t help but ask myself again and again, “How could we get to this place as humanity?”
Religious extremism and nationalism have been a part of the world’s history of violence and danger for centuries. Read the book of Daniel and see the courage and faithfulness of Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego in the face of such danger. King Nebuchadnezzar and the other Babylonian kings who followed him said that these men and the miraculous acts of Yahweh had inspired them to believe. But then they build giant gold statues and demand people worship them, using religion for their own power and gain.
But evil will never fully win…no, only love wins in the end. Out of the ashes of evil, beauty arises as we come together in community and stand together against hate. As we see in the faithfulness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as we experienced when we as a nation came together on 9/11, and even here in Orlando after the Pulse tragedy.
One of the people who has spent his life standing against religious nationalism and experiencing its dangers is our beloved friend, Rev. Dr. Gary Mason from Belfast. Having lived through the Troubles and seen sectarianism and religious nationalism, Gary was a part of helping lead people toward creating peace during the Good Friday Peace Accords and has continued that work beyond Belfast with the conflict of Israel/Palestine, and here in America.
We are so excited to have Gary Mason with us for events all week starting Sunday morning (September 15), where he will continue the story of Daniel as our guest preacher for both worship services. After worship he will be leading a lunch and learn panel discussion with leaders from Roots International: A Palestinian Israeli Initiative for Understanding, Nonviolence, and Transformation. Joining us virtually from Jerusalem will be Rabbi Shaul Judelman, member of Roots’ leadership team, and Ali Abu Awwad, who is the focus of the movie Counterpoint, and was the spokesperson of The Bereaved Parents Circle for many years. Click here to RSVP to attend this powerful presentation and to have a chance to ask questions to learn more of the complexity of this crisis.
Then you’re invited to return on Monday night (September 16) where Gary will be leading a lecture and discussion on the dangers of religious nationalism asking the questions: what is it, how do we recognize it, and what can we do? Click here to RSVP and join us at 7:00 p.m. in Founder’s Hall for this impactful night of conversation from someone who is a modern-day Daniel among us.
I’m looking forward to a great time of learning with you. Who knows how God is calling us to be Daniels today, right here and right now.
Grace and Peace,
Jenn.