“God is light; In him there is no darkness...”
Colborne Street United Church is a welcoming Christian home where,
through the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, we endeavour
to reach out through word and deed to people of all ages and needs within
and outside our community of faith.
Just so you know…
In a recent article in the London Free Press, Norman De Bono writes that “on October 7, the militant group Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,400 and taking more than 200 hostages. The death toll in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has launched air and land attacks, is believed to have surpassed 10,000.”
Just so you know, against this backdrop certain faith leaders in London crafted a message of unity and peace and asked their colleagues throughout the city to sign their names to it. De Bono reported that some 60 leaders of several faiths signed the statement, including Christian bishops and pastors, Muslim leaders and two rabbis; members of the city’s Baha’i, Hindu and Sikh communities; and the executive director of the Ark Aid Street Mission. I also want you to know that as your minister and as a new faith leader in the London community, I was pleased to sign the statement myself.
The statement reads in part:
“We live in uncertain times. Many in London have family in the Middle East for whom they worry. Many here are grieving death and loss. Together, we want to acknowledge that pain and suffering as something that transcends religion, race, or ethnicity. We grieve as one human family. As citizens of London, we know all too well how discrimination, acts of hatred and violence can result in the devastating and deplorable loss of innocent lives . . . we stand as one in saying that this time of profound brokenness cannot be used as a justification for any form of hatred or discrimination. We cry out for an end to all violence. We yearn for a lasting peace; peace for Israelis and Palestinians, peace for all an end to all violence.”
I contend that during these uncertain times it is critical that we stand united in our support for peace and for one another as faith communities in London. As Rabbi Debra Dressler of Temple Israel puts it so well, “One of the biggest challenges in a crisis is to hold the humanity of the other, to hold multiple truths, and see each other with empathy.” And may I add that Jesus’ call to our hearts and minds has always been to love our neighbours as ourselves, particularly during those times when it is not easy or comfortable to do so.
Peace and Union!
Rev. Frank Staples
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather and in which our Antler River Region covers
is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Attawandaron (Neutral), and Wendat peoples.
This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.
May we seek to listen and learn and share in ministry with our Indigenous siblings.