Church News: February

In January, we celebrated the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Jean Barrington preached this story recently: MLK received up to 40 threatening calls and messages a day, for days on end. After receiving a threatening late-night phone call, he wrote, “It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. I had reached the saturation point. I was ready to give up. I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing a coward. I got to the point that I couldn’t take it any longer.

"With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory: ‘Lord, I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I’m right. I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. Now, I am afraid. And I can’t let the people see me like this because if they see me weak and losing my courage, they will begin to get weak. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.’” But then, he realized, “It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: ‘Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you. Even until the end of the world.’”

MLK then says he experienced the presence of the divine as never before. “Almost at once my fears began to go, uncertainty disappeared.” MLK was ready to do what was needed. We would say, God can do with us what we cannot do of our own power! We need that connection with the divine. These are times that need that connection, that partnership with wisdom, love and mercy.

One of our Trinity members joined the gathering at noon at Gulf and Tyee, here on the Point one Sunday. She wrote, “I attended the ‘I Stand For’ gathering yesterday after worship. The mood was calm and upbeat, people waving and smiling at passers-by. No one is there to make trouble; everyone is there to stand up for other people in need. It's a good, worthwhile gathering.” She felt touched by a caring sense of community, so typical of the Point where taking care of our neighbors has long been our practice.

“Sit not still, but act. Restore the time of truth. Follow the way of hope choosing justice and sharing.” “Love is the way.” (Maitreya's Messages/Christ's teachings) Consider showing up, participate peacefully. Wave and smile and be part of the changes needed. Resist the hate, by doing something, no matter how small, and support victims. Ideas will abound on the how. Choose one.