September 9, 2021
From Pastor Joey
Building Bridges
How hard is it to get from here to there? When Ole and I moved to Port Angeles in 2008, the main topic of conversation was “the bridges are down.” In P.A. there is an east side and west side of town, separated by a deep gorge. One way to cross over is to simply travel Marine Drive. The other is 8th Street where there are two bridges crossing the gorge. When the bridges are down, there is only one way to get from one side of town to the other. Ole and I live on the west side of town and soon learned the hassle of having to go down the hill and around to get to the church on the east side. In reality, it added not more than 10 minutes, but it seemed like a big deal at the time.
Bridges become a metaphor for human relationships. How hard is it for us to be brothers and sisters in Christ? Barriers begin with a difference of opinion. Chasms are created by harsh words that lead to hurt feelings. Walls sometimes seem easier to build than healthy relationships.
I invite us to become bridge builders for human community. Henri Nouwen, in his book Reaching Out, put it this way:
Hospitality, therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. It is not to lead our neighbor into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment.
Reaching Out, p. 51
Then again, I can hear the Judds singing, “Love can build a bridge. Between your heart and mine. Love can build a bridge. Don’t you think it’s time? Don’t you think it’s time?”
Dear friends in Christ, I think it’s time. Are you willing to work within Christ to build bridges in our families, our church, our community, and around the world?
Thank you!
Pastor Joey
Some Concerns that we have:
- Pastor Brad and Dorothy for Brad’s health issues.
- For those who continue to go through physical struggles, those who are dealing with cancer, or other health situations. For those who are emotionally feeling lost and alone.
- For those who haven’t been vaccinated yet; for all those who are ill from the Covid-19 virus; for those families who have lost loved ones to the virus; and for essential workers.
- For peace in our country.
- For Katherine Parker, missionary to Nepal.