Two completely different thoughts I'd like to share today:
One ... A lot has been said about Bishop Curry's sermon at the Royal Wedding. I was even more engaged by the bride's African American mom, Doria Ragland. 37 years ago she was pregnant, watching the wedding of Harry's parents, never imagining that the baby she was carrying would one day marry a prince from the same family. And now, here she is, a divorced black woman who has been marginalized most of her life, sitting directly across the aisle from the Queen of England. The contrast was stunning.
Two ... violence in Gaza. Many of you have read my comments about Israel and Palestine, rooted in what I worry is the ethnic cleansing of Christian Palestinians. The situation in Gaza is maddening on so many levels, but it's also very complicated. If you're interested in what I think is a balanced explanation of what's going on, here's a good link to follow https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/05/18/611940486/deep-contradictions-remain-at-the-core-of-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict. If you're interested in the Lutheran church's efforts to provide humanitarian relief and medical service to those affected by the violence, click here. The Augusta Victoria Hospital -- a ministry of the Lutheran World Federation -- is doing amazing work, but they, too, face growing pressure from a government that's not keenly interested in their presence and ministry. Let's hold their work in prayer.
Blessings to you this week. Thanks for your good work in God's garden!
