Sunday, July 19, 2015

Beloved Community

SYNOPSIS: Today, social media connects us in ways like never before. Yet despite our virtual relationships, we are losing our sense of connection through community. What can we do to address this dilemma? Mahatmas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. both stressed the power cultivated by a group of people who gather to support each other in growth and service to the common good. Dr. King referred to this unifying force as the "Beloved Community". This Sunday, we will examine the qualities required to become a Beloved Community and a force for peace in a deeply divided world. 

FEATURED MUSICIAN: Rob Rohlmeier

TAKEAWAYS: The secret to creating peace in the world is simple but may seem counter-intuitive. 


"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." 

Mathew 5:44

PODCAST:

“Behold how pleasant and good it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133

Last week, I quoted the Mother Teresa who stated “The reason we have no peace is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” We are family.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatmas Gandhi both believed, taught and practiced community driven service which led to peace making. The power of a community with a single focus to bring about major change is awesome.

In the late 1950’s, Dr. King spoke about his dream for humankind of an interrelated, all-inclusive community whose only focus was to lovingly and non-violently bring an end to POVERTY, RACISM, and MILITARISM. He called it the "Beloved Community".  
 
This was not just a lofty goal Dr. King put out there, it was a realistic, achievable goal that can be attained by a critical mass of people committed and trained in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence.

I invite you to join me this Sunday, as we examine the qualities required to become a Beloved Community and a force for peace in a deeply divided world. 

Our musical ensemble will be led by our very own Tenor Supreme, Rob Rohlmeier. He will be accompanied by Gwen Gathercoal, Pamela Van Kirk, Jim Turner, and Dagan Williamson with vocal support from Mark Soss. It should be awesome.

Your presence matters. I look forward to spending Sunday with you.

In deepest gratitude.

Michael