The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians,
    There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
    In this, and most of Paul's letters, he is trying to hammer together a new kind of community--one that hadn't been tried before. It is to be populated by people who probably never thought they would ever be worshipping in the same place with each other. These were groups of people who always did separate things in separate places.  Yet, in Christ, they found the ability and inspiration to do a new thing--together.
    One of the things that constantly gives me joy here at United Presbyterian Church, is the wide diversity of people that make their way into the sanctuary Sunday mornings. What a blessing it is that together we can sing with gusto some of the old hymns of the church and then sing a new African hymn with children playing the rhythm instruments. In the hallways and classrooms I see the generations spending time with each other, not only teaching and learning, but talking about what's going on in each others' lives. Surely this is something of what scripture intends the church of Jesus Christ to be like.
    But it's not enough. There are always more people to be included in the gathering. There are always new groups of people who feel excluded and need to feel welcomed. There are always new ways to cross boundaries and expand God's kingdom of love and compassion. Christ's church is always made up of not only the friendly and the familiar, but also of the strange and new. How can we make this happen today?
     One very small way we can make people feel welcome is by ordering a nametag (order form found in this newsletter and at church) and wearing it when we all gather together. But more than nametags, introduce yourself to someone you don't know. Invite someone to come with you to church. Extend a hand of friendship and welcome to someone you don't know in our community. Pray for those who are different from you and live far away from here. Speak out against language that divides people from each other and work for a greater unity of all God's people. Help to make God's kingdom a reality.

May the Peace of Christ dwell with you richly,
Bob