Dear Rose Park,
This past Sunday evening, I had the great joy and privilege to preach at Benjamin’s Hope. Pastor Eric Peterson typically preaches at Rose Park when I’m on vacation, so I was more than willing to return the favor as he’s currently on vacation. After the congregation gathered and we sang our first song, I was reminded yet again of God’s goodness and love as we read the mission statement of Ben’s Hope together.
It reads: Connecting people of all abilities with Jesus and one another. Some members of the congregation read this statement easily, others read only a few words, still others shouted it or whispered it under the breath, and even one communicated the statement with the help of a speaking computer. In whatever way the statement was communicated, it was clear that all of God’s people are seen, known, and loved in the church at Ben’s Hope.
As I read the mission statement of Ben’s Hope, my mind is immediately drawn to the word ‘connect’ because here at Rose Park, we desire to connect, empower, and reconcile. Between our two worshipping bodies, there is a great desire for more connection. More relationships. More meaningful time spent together. More face-to-face conversation. More games played. More laughter. More worshipping together. More stories shared. More spaces where everyone is seen, known, and loved by God and each other.
Krista Mason is the co-founder of Benjamin’s Hope, and she shares this love of connection to Jesus and community. When she and her team were coming up with their core values, this is what they came up with:
We all have value.
We all deserve dignity and meaning.
We all have limitations, and we all need grace.
We all need relationships with people we enjoy.
We all can contribute in a real and substantive way to community.
We each are fiercely loved by Jesus Christ and uniquely reflect the image of God.
What I love about these core values is that they are intimately individual and communal at the same time. We all look different, and yet we all have similar needs. We all communicate differently, and yet we all need to be loved. We are all gifted differently, and yet we are all created in the image of God. We are all created uniquely, and yet we all need connection.
I hope and pray you feel connected to Jesus and the broader community of believers. I hope you feel connected to the church at Rose Park and beloved neighbors like Ben’s Hope. I hope you feel connected to the table of remembrance, communion, and hope. I hope you feel connected to the waters of baptism. Ultimately, I hope you feel connected to the Good Shepherd named Jesus and His flock.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark