It's Up to Us

Feb 25, 2025
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Beloved -

          Pictured here is one of a dozen supplies hauls that landed on the porches at church and my house since last Tuesday’s post about the extremely low supply of pantry stock at the Severe Weather Emergency Shelter.  Hundreds of protein bars, dozens of pairs of socks and gloves, blankets, first aid . . . you did not hesitate.  Most packages came anonymously, so here is my only place to say thank you for your faithful generosity toward the precious people served by it.  When the shelter leadership team heard about the list, they asked for it and have added additional items so if you still want to help, there is plenty of need left.  Here is the link, and remember, you need not purchase these exact items nor buy from Amazon.  Anything similar is perfectly fine.  Items can be mailed to or dropped off at UBC, address below, or to my address.
          In other news, there is the news:  political and economic, foreign and domestic, all of which seems so profoundly personal and no small test of faith for people seeking to render unto Caesar and God, respectively and appropriately.  It’s Jesus’ separation-of-church-and-state lesson to some powerful religious men hoping to trap him into saying something treasonous, enabling them to be rid of him and the trouble he made.  That trouble, of course, amounted to poor and marginalized people waking up to their own belovedness, their own value, their own humanity, and their unwillingness to be regarded as less than deserving of the human decency and dignity Jesus’ love had awakened in themselves and one another.  Brought to life and light, such love cannot be put to death again, no matter the hopes and wishes of people hoping to hang onto and expand their power over others.  Herein is the gospel of Christ, of course.
          So, I am yet hopeful, in spite of what are sure to be evil days ahead.  Days for which we will one day erect memorials, lest we forget the victims of the injustices and crimes committed in these years, and memorials to those who acted with great courage in these days to resist and interfere with that injustice and the commission of those crimes.  I am hopeful that the living memories of so many people around the world will be awakened to do the good they know to do for love of neighbor and for love of common decency in the world where we all must live.
          However discouraged I might be in a moment, the hope in me is confirmed by the likes of you when I send out a simple list of needs for the neediest among us.  Someone just texted to arrange a meet-up for another hundred pairs of socks!  We will get through these years.  How the least of us and the most at risk get through them is up to people reading here, people who claim the fearless love and power of Christ to do right in a world where wrong becomes more legal every day.  May we all have the wisdom to know our part and the courage to speak and act in faith these days. 

~peace & prayers,
pastor annette  

B-SWERS Wish List Link ~ https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KBMKVLCFK3O9?ref_=wl_share

University Baptist Church * 3740 E. 3rd Street * Bloomington, IN * 47401

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