Update, Thanksgiving Friday, November 26,2021

A Letter From our Regional Minister

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him. Colossians 3:15-17

I pray you will all give time to thinking about how to provoke all those around you to love. Why should provoking be limited to violence, hate and other bad things? Why should violence be the only one instigated? Why should separation and destruction be the only ones plotted in private spaces with trusted conspirators? Why should conspiracy theorists be the only ones spending hours thinking of ways to share their passion?

Hate has been given prominence in our society and fear sustains it. I understand how easy it is to fall for the sugary deliciousness of thinking “I” am better than them or worse, they’re going to get me/us if we don’t… Especially when spending time with family.

But what if instead we planted the impossible to eradicate weed that is the mustard seed of love? What if we listen attentively seeking to understand? What if we thought of love before responding to even the craziest of comments at the Thanksgiving table or the dirty and dark alleys of Facebook pages, and Tweeter feeds? What if we shared love, poked hope, and instigated peace relentlessly?

May you provoke love with the fullness of your gifts and strengths this season beginning with Thanksgiving. Love so persistently that even those who think they hate you come to know you love them. You are not alone, your EBA family is glad to be your conspirator in loving all those around us. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him.”

—
Paz,
Rev. Douglas Avilesbernal, Executive Minister
Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches

Micah 6:8
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Kent WA 98032
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