(Romans 12:10, NRSV.)
It has been a joy to spend the past month with you all in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. When I first thought about having a sermon series on a children’s show, I wondered how well it would translate to the frenzied pace of our modern world. I discovered a lot about the program and the person as I dug deeper, and I believe Fred Rogers’ message is needed now more than ever. Coarseness might win the headlines, but I have faith that kindness will always carry the day.
So, what do we do when the cardigan sweater is hung up in the closet and the closing credit have finished rolling? What is the Lord asking us to do next? Loving neighbors and neighborhoods cannot be something we preach in church and do not practice outside the sanctuary walls. As a next step, we will begin a new tradition at St. Mark in August with a month-long all church Summer Sunday School class.
I will facilitate a discussion on “Reclaiming Civility” in our church, community, and world. Too often, we are quick to speak, slow to listen, and resistant to any kind of change. In our desire to be right, we dismiss opposing views, surround ourselves with likeminded opinions, and diminish the voices of those with whom we disagree. The world feels more divisive now than ever before, and, while it will feel like swimming upstream, Christians must resist the rush to dehumanize those on the other side of an issue. If we love all of our neighbors, we have to make space to engage everyone honestly. Mr. Rogers speaks to this when he writes, “Mutual caring relationships require kindness and patience, tolerance, optimism, joy in the other's achievements, confidence in oneself, and the ability to give without undue thought of gain.”
The class will meet every Sunday morning in August at 8:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to join us for this fruitful discussion.
In Hope and Confidence,
Pastor Dave
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