[ecm] Stand against hate, 6/2/07

[Rob Lundquist]

            We've just learned here at St Paul's that the funeral of Nick
Walsh, the Marine from Ft Collins who was killed in action in Iraq last
Saturday, will be picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas,
tomorrow.  The funeral is at 9:30 am at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church,
300 W Mountain, on Saturday, June 2.  All who are interested in standing
between the protesters and the grieving family are asked to assemble outside
St Joseph's @ 8:15 am.  If you'd like, bring a bed-sheet attached to a
couple broom handles - the hope is to build a visual shield.  Most
important, though, is to be present, to stand against hatred.  Especially
hatred inflicted in the name of Jesus.  This effort is being organized by
Amanda Koehler - please call her at 310-9421 for more information.

 

            Fred Phelps, the "pastor" of Westboro BC, is notorious for
attacking the GLBT community and Jews (look him up - there's plenty on the
net).  The message he intends to bring is that "God hates fags," and that
"God hates the US for coddling fags."  His "church" has been picketing the
funerals of US service personnel killed in action, claiming that they have
all died fighting for a "fag-loving nation."  Please excuse the language in
the quotations - in asking you to come out I want you to know the vehemence
of this group.

            I will be there in my clericals.  It is a rare opportunity to
stand with Jesus against hatred in such a clear-cut way.  "You're blessed
when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you
even deeper into God's kingdom. Not only that-count yourselves blessed every
time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to
discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and
they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens-give a cheer,
even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know
that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten
into this kind of trouble."  [Matt 5:10-12, The Message]  If you come out
tomorrow you will be screamed at, cursed and insulted.  But I hope you do
meet me outside St Joseph's if you can.  And if you can't, please pray.
Pray for the family of Nick Walsh; pray for Fred Phelps and his followers,
that their hearts may be opened to the true message of Jesus' love; and pray
for those who will stand in the breach.

 

            In the name of Jesus and the blessing of God,  

 

                        Rob+

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Rev. Robert Lundquist, Priest-in-Charge

St Paul's Episcopal Church

1208 W Elizabeth St, Fort Collins, CO  80521

   970-482-2668                 FAX 866-261-3507

www.stpauls-fc.org        rector at stpauls-fc.org

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mail.stpauls-fc.org/pipermail/ecm_stpauls-fc.org/attachments/20070601/bb389736/attachment.html