Treat them how?

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,

Don’t take advantage of any stranger who lives in your land. You must treat the outsider as one of your native-born people—as a full citizen—and you are to love him in the same way you love yourself; for remember, you were once strangers living in Egypt. (Lev. 19:33-34)

In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt. 7:12)

Once again, our Bishop Dan Schwerin offers our Conference an inspiring letter. I’m sharing a piece of it here. I invite and encourage you to read the whole letter. 

“I write to challenge you to pay attention to and love your neighbor in three concrete ways. 

“First, pray. I know many are hurting in the church and the world God so loves. Today I am prayerful and mindful of immigrant communities. A few days ago, I turned on the furnace for the first time this fall. You can imagine that winter brings economic challenges to many, but in this moment, immigrant communities in particular are suffering. Immigrants may be afraid to go to work, visit food pantries, or take their kids to school. Roll the tape forward and imagine how hard it will be for those who miss work but must pay the rent, buy medicine, cover winter heat and fuel, and make ends meet.

“Attention is a form of generosity. Please pay attention with your prayer life.

“Second, get out of your bubble. Leaders summon our best and aim us toward godly vision. That said, this moment is so full of division, retribution, and pain that we must protect our spirits at times.

“I asked a nationally renowned congregational development expert, What is the top thing United Methodists can do to increase a church’s vitality? She said, ‘Make authentic relationships outside of your church. Care for the people around you. Invite someone to your next cookout; take an interest. Check in on others. Give someone a ride.’ 

“Get out of your social media bubble and into relationships, which are always more complex and difficult than being fed by an electronic algorithm. The algorithms know what enrages you. They know what confirms your prejudices. They are making us angry, divided, and easy to influence. Reflect on this theologically: how might I be the hands and feet of Jesus in this moment?

“Third…”

Actually, I’m going to save the third challenge for next week.

Plotting Goodness,
Pastor Dave