Page 1 - 2022 June/July Newsletter

Southern Pennsylvania

District Church

of the Brethren

A Message from our District Executive

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and
great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not. Matthew 2: 18
I cannot believe the news today
Oh, I can't close my eyes and make it go away
How long, how long must we sing this song?
How long? How long? Songwriters: Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Dave
Evans, Paul Hewson, U2
Matthew quoted from Jeremiah 31where the prophet predicts the exile
that would take place. Matthew brings this verse into the context of
Herod murdering all the boys in Bethlehem, two years of age and
younger, at the time of Jesus’ birth. He wanted to eliminate any rival for
his throne.
This verse came to mind as I held my 5-week-old grandson and
watched the news coverage of the massacre at an elementary school in
Ulvalde, Texas. I did not personally know any of the victims or their
surviving family and friends, but inwardly, I wept and even held precious
Volume 40, Issue 3 little Brennan a little tighter. One more mass shooting to add to our
June/July 2022
nation’s life. I wondered why places we always considered safe,
(Churches, Schools, Synagogues, shopping malls, and hospitals) have
INSIDE THIS ISSUE become killing grounds.
Message from Pg. I am not a smart man (to quote Forrest Gump), and I do not have any
District Executive easy solution to the violence that seems so prevalent in today’s society,
1-2
but I am intelligent to know that something must be done.
District Office Pg. I grew up in a small town in Western PA and guns were a part of that
Notes
2- 3 society, my dad did not hunt, and I was twelve or so before I even
realized he had a shotgun and a rifle wrapped in a blanket in his closet.
Meeting & Event Pg.4 The first day of deer season was a school holiday. I am not opposed to
Schedule
implements of hunting. In fact, I enjoy when we have a donation of
“Bambi Burger.” to eat. (Hint, Hint!) I wonder about the need to possess
Giving Report Pg.5
what has become a mass shooter weapon of choice that is modeled after
News Pgs. a military weapon. The elimination of weapons is not the total solution.
6-13 When we objectify a group and deny their humanity, it is easy to take a
Church News & Pgs. life or lives. When I hear people broad brush others and thinking they all
Events think, live, and act a certain way, I want to ask do you know them or just
14-21
relish the stereotype, When I first joined the Church of the Brethren, I
News Around the Pgs. was soon hearing people saying things about “Elgin” or “Bethany” as if
District 22-27 there was only one mindset allowed in those places hat was dedicated to

Training & Pgs. the ruination of the church. As I continued in the Church of the Brethren
Opportunities 28-31 and my contact list grew, I realized that painting all a group or race is
almost always wrong. But that is not the total solution either.