A Message from the Executive Director/Minister
Easter People
To write a column of hope while war is raging in Eastern Europe, Myanmar/Burma and other places across our globe is daunting. Perhaps one of these will have eased up by the time you read this edition of the Capital Baptist. Just maybe there will be a little more peace and a little less hostility. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples not to be alarmed by the wars and rumors of war they hear, for, he says, “this must take place.” This is difficult to hear. I must admit, I have had many a conversation with God asking about these wars. It is a challenge as a mother to encourage your young children to use their words and not their fists only for grown-ups to use guns and bombs and not their words. And then I look and see the people for whom the atrocities are hitting the hardest, singing and praising God, and I am struck by their faith. These sisters and brothers are truly Easter people. They live into the power of the resurrection, not once and done but moment by moment, day by day. They bear witness to the hope we have in Jesus Christ and encourage me and you to do the same. As we journey through Holy Week and beyond, I pray we will journey as a people concerned both for our neighbors and our world. I pray we will join our voices with siblings who might look and sound a little different from us but call Jesus their brother, too. I trust we will continue to seek to be engaged in Glocal (GLObal + LOCAL) Mission as we train in Emergency Response Efforts, engage in concerns of mental health and proclaim the Good News of Jesus in word and deed. Let us sing together the words from the Song of Solomon, chapter two: Look around you: Winter is over; the winter rains are over, gone! Spring flowers are in blossom all over. The whole world’s a choir—and singing! Spring warblers are filling the forest with sweet strains. Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed, and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms. (The Message) As always, please know I am eager to get to know you better, to pray with you and worship with you. Let me know when we can set a time to visit! In the meantime, I hope you will take advantage of the information and programs offered in this issue of the Capital Baptist. Joy and Grace, Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Executive Director/Minister April/May 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter
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