Dear Friends,

It is a day and age when it seems reasonable to shut the doors, pull the curtains, and quietly melt into the wallpaper.  As the mother of an immigrant, I am even more concerned as I hear the rhetoric and watch the conflicts. But I can’t just think of what makes me comfortable.  I know  we have a responsibility as people who uphold the tenet of “Integrity” to be bastions of safety fortifying truth and peace every chance we can get.

As a graduate student in conflict resolution back in the 90’s, I remember being the most influenced by Johan Galtung and his triangle of violence.  The tips of the triangle represent different ways we as human beings are violent with each other and how violence of one kind begets violence of another.  The three tips represent direct violence (physical/verbal acts like killing, fighting), structural violence (systemic inequality, unequal life chances, like poverty or discrimination), and cultural violence (norms, beliefs, ideologies making other violence seem natural/justifiable, like racism or sexism).  They pick up speed, spinning the triangle as each shows its head in society, gaining centrifugal force.  Right now, the triangle is revolving around cities in the Blue States such as our own.  We have a special opportunity to get out and do something to slow it down more directly through direct actions.  There is for this triangle of violence a triangle of nonviolence that permeates many different layers of ourselves and our society.  It is up to us to be a part of the nonviolence in all thoughts, behaviors, and norms.  Everything starts with the center of any triangle. How can we be more nonviolent in our own lives?  Even in how we speak to ourselves, we can begin by showing more self-compassion and self-affirmation. Or if we have overlooked self-care, we can focus on helping ourselves become the strongest, kindest, and most empathetic person, and prayerfully centered person that we can be first to ourselves and then to others.  We have the opportunity to make a vow to truth and honesty, so that how we live slows the spinning by creating energy of love and genuineness, slowing the rotation ever so slightly, but still providing more positive energy during these times when negative energy seems pervasive in our society and our thinking.  There are other ways to become involved and slow the spin.

We as a church get involved through our Peace and Social Concern Committee that meets the third Sunday (this Sunday) of each month at 9:00AM.  There are many things going on in the church and through different members of the church that counter violence in our town and country.  This week is the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr’s life committed to nonviolence and civil rights.  His life was obviously dedicated to slowing the spin of violence.  We can be part of an action on Saturday from 12-2PM at the corner of Washburn and South Sixth Street here in town, as we commemorate his life.  Wednesday night we will be feeding the homeless at the warming center at Thrive Church.  You are welcome to be involved, even if all you offer is fellowship and goodness to those for whom housing is not an option. On Friday, Joe and I are going to Eugene to participate in a joint workshop held by AFSC and Eugene Friends Church to talk about the war in Gaza, and next steps to nonviolence there.  You are invited to ride along with us if you are interested. Sunday the 25^th is a zoom call for all who want to be involved trying to come up with some faith initiatives to respond to ICE and other aspects of this administration.  There are trainings in town for training on dealing with ICE.  There are other opportunities, so please come to Peace and Social Concerns this Sunday at 9 to be a part of our work through the Friends church.

Do not discount the power of prayer for ourselves, our families, our nation and our world.  While many believe that prayer mostly impacts the person praying, bringing about a more spiritual outlook in our lives.  We can pray for those in Minneapolis and other cities where violence is a problem.  There is planned to be a group of white-supremist organizations in Minneapolis this weekend who are planning to agitate  the already volatile situation.  Prayer can help people be centered enough to “not take the bait” and counter violence with violence.  Our job is to stop the spinning of this triangle of violence and to focus on each level of nonviolence that is open to us.  It will take a concerted effort, and prayer helps to sync our energies together to focus on creating a more positive nonviolent world.

Join us.  Be with us as we stand against violence in this world as a group of people willing to take this own in small ways together.  Help to make this world a better place in which to have community with one another.

As I write this conclusion, I do so with one of those suspicions that I have left out an important announcement. I don’t like that feeling, but you may be hearing from me soon again when I remember what it was that I was supposed to attach.

Until then, you are needed to come and fellowship.  And in this world as it is right now, we need the fellowship with each other. We will have a potluck this Sunday at the end of service.  There is always enough for everyone, so please join us even if you don’t bring a dish.  The following Sunday is Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.  We have to work on 2026’s budget, so it is a very important business meeting.

Last, but not least, is the idea of giving financially to help slow this cycle of violence.  Margo writes to us and says, “A big thank you to those of you who have returned your pledge forms already. If you have not returned yours, it’s not too late! There are copies on the table by the front door if you need one. It is helpful to the Stewardship Committee to have these in so that we can prepare the budget for the next year.  Thank you.”

Blessings to everyone of you and by everyone of you.  Together we can slow the cycle of violence and bring peace into this world one person at a time.

Leigh