Happy New Year to ALL! When I shared a message on December 14th I ended by quoting from the hymn Love Came Down at Christmas; “Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine; love to God and love to ALL.”
That idea of offering love to God and love to all is not simply a seasonal thing but is a year-round challenge. Hear these words from Hebrews 13:
“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Now I’m not suggesting that every stranger we meet is an angel in disguise but it does prompt us to consider how we are called to interact with people we don’t know…and especially with people who are different from us…in whatever way we might understand the word “different!”
Our Bible is full of many examples of welcoming the stranger and caring for the least of these but have you ever wondered how other faiths approach this same challenge? Whether you have or not I’m asking you to do so now and to consider joining me on Sunday, January 25 at the Unitarian Church West at 13001 W. North Avenue for a program entitled “How Does Your Faith Inspire You to Treat the Stranger?”
This program, which runs from 2pm to 4:30pm, is being sponsored by The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee in collaboration with Brookfield Elm Grove Interfaith Network. During this time we will be invited to “delve into the teachings of many traditions and learn more about each other.”
I think this is a great way to begin 2015. I plan to go and my hope is YOU will come with me. We can carpool!
Blessings,
Pastor Andy