Over the past several years in the ministry of Hope Church, four areas of focus on issues of justice have emerged as an urgent and abundant calling for our congregation, four “touchstones”: LGBTQIA+ inclusion; racial justice; care for creation; and accessibility. Each of these touchstones has a long history in the ministry of Hope Church, but in recent years through the work of ministries, committees, Consistory, pastors, and congregation, a clarity has come into focus about both the particular importance of each of these four touchstones and the intersectionality between them. Intersectionality helps us to see that whenever we are tending to one touchstone of justice, there are always threads that connect to the others. The affordable housing project is a great example, as this project is providing apartments for those with disabilities, is being built with eco-friendly design, includes our native American neighbors, and is consciously aware of using leasing practices that do not discriminate.
It’s been very meaningful for me as a Hope Church Pastor to see the emergence of these touchstones in how we speak of our shared calling and ministry. It’s helped me as a leader and in my own path of faith to see the connections among our justice commitments, as I’ve experienced how Beloved Community includes all in the abundance of love for God and neighbor.
And now we are taking the step of making those justice commitments visible to our community and to all who come to Hope Church. Lois Maassen and Chris Wiers have developed a colorful and communicative image for each of the touchstones, and those four images will be installed/displayed this summer in the windows above both the 11th Street sanctuary and parking lot entrances, with the words of Micah 6:8 displayed in the middle window: “Do justice; love kindness; walk humbly with God.” At the 11th Street entrance, these graphics will replace the current “Black Lives Matter” banner and exterior pride flag. And this will be all new at the parking lot entrance! I think you’ll be pleased with the visual impact of having these images at our primary entrances, as we communicate to all who enter—and all who pass by!—Hope Church’s commitments as followers of Jesus Christ in love for our neighbors.
Peace – Pastor Gordon