From Your Pastor

To the First Presbyterian Church family,

A national election season (my third with you all) hardly seems like a time to talk about unity and blessings, but I have recently reflected on a few of those. One early memory was a trip several of us took to our capital in October 2016 to see David’s Tent near the Washington monument. When I went looking for photos, the best I could find is a blurry one when we went out to lunch afterwards at a falafel place close by in DC, though the joy of community is still plain to see.

And that is precisely what I wanted to talk to you about, because Jesus Christ and our community of prayer is what makes us what we are. I once in casual conversation described our congregation as “purple.” For those unfamiliar: blue for Democrat and red for Republican. Put both together, you have purple. It applies, but upon further reflection I’m seeing limitations to that term. For example, some are apolitical, others vote for third party candidates, and any of those opinions, along with red or blue or whatever, may be hard to empathize with.

Empathy is a hard concept, and it sounds soft. Yet if we look at Jesus’ ministry, his empathy was one of continuing contact, no matter the views or lifestyle. It does not mean He condoned or encouraged different practices-far from it-but he did keep a relationship going. He did not go “soft” on sin, but he empathized with people on the most fundamental basis: humanity. We are all created in the image of God and what brings our church together is the Jesus who offers salvation from dehumanizing sin and thus restores us to the image of God, our humanity. So, I would suggest if we want to be disciples of Christ, we are called to have that kind of empathy toward all, including and especially if we don’t like their politics.

Of course, I have been blessed to see that manifest around our church gatherings in this season, as my own experience with our congregation, whatever color we want to attach to it, has been of singular focus on Christ and the community he has blessed us with. As I write this and think back on that trip to Washington, DC 8 years ago, I can see how little has changed in our congregation, and that is a blessing to claim! So even as I write a “topical column” (on the upcoming election) it is really an excuse to point out Christ-like empathy . . . and how well this church has practiced it.

I’ve also been blessed with the more recent memory of the “Gathering for Hope” prayer service at the Philadelphia Presbytery last Wednesday, which featured prayers led both by me and Pastor Gadiel Gomez of Central Presbyterian Norristown. Both Gadiel and I have spoken about our own disagreements with others in the Presbytery, yet we still recognize they are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we have kept that relationship going on that basis. Furthermore, the congregation of Central, a Spanish-speaking church, illustrates for us unity in Christ between 2 congregations.

Coming up, we have a clergy recognition service at Centre Theatre just a few blocks away from here, sponsored by Norristown Ministerium, and once again I’ll be participating. You’ve heard me talk many times about our partnership with them in a very needy community. This includes ministry to the unhoused, who require a lot of empathy and work in finding the image of God in all people. With all the emphasis right now on national leadership, I hope we can see the value of our community leaders and pastors. They work alongside us for the cause of Christ.

Lastly, I want to point out an event happening the day after the election: the community dinner with the Islamic Society of Norristown, which is a response of several of our churches to the community dinner they hosted in their facility back in March. This event, for me at least, stands as the best example of Jesus’ ministry mentioned earlier. He sat and ate with all types and all for the purpose of bringing salvation to fellow human beings, regardless (or perhaps even because) of their beliefs and practices. Christ compels us to act differently, as a community and out in the community.

I’m glad we went to a prayer tent in DC in 2016, and I’m even more glad this church is still a Christ-filled community of prayer. Over the next few weeks, let us continue to be that kind of church.

Colossians 3:12-14

~Pastor Peter Martin