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June 2, 2025
Dear First Congregational Church,
On Sunday, members of Run for Their Lives – Jewish witnesses who have peacefully walked Pearl Street every week since October 2023 – were attacked during their demonstration. Week by week, they have walked faithfully as part of an international witness, calling the world to remember those still held captive in Gaza. Yesterday, their walk was shattered by violence. At least eight people were injured and suffered burns in this act of terror.
We are deeply dismayed. We pray for the wounded and for a city heartbroken and shaken. We pray for our Jewish siblings, reeling from this trauma. On our behalf, I reached out to Rabbi Marc Soloway of Bonai Shalom, Rabbis Fred Greene and Ruth Gelfarb of Har HaShem, and Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein of Nevei Kodesh to express our concern and compassion. Rabbi Gelfarb responded to share that their congregation had already planned to gather on Sunday evening for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates God’s giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. She was grateful they could be together to comfort one another and to pray for the injured.
In that same spirit, and as a witness against violence, we invite you to come together this evening, Monday, on Pearl Street next to the Boulder County Courthouse – to pray, to bring a sign expressing your concerns to leave at the site, and flowers, if you wish. We will gather on Pearl Street on the eastside of the Courthouse at 7:00 p.m.
As we lament the violence in our community, we also remember that just the day before, on Saturday, we were glad to welcome the Jerusalem Youth Chorus to Boulder – young Israelis and Palestinians, singing side by side, voices woven in hope. Their songs carried stories – honest, aching, and brave. Their harmonies made space for a future shaped by dialogue, dignity, safety, and peace.
To support their ongoing and expanding work – and in an effort to replace some of the funding they have lost due to cuts to USAID – we will be receiving a special offering this Sunday during our 10:00 a.m. worship service in support of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus. Watch for information in your Friday morning email about other ways to give.
This Sunday, our Arts Campers will fill our worship with song and story, bearing witness to the “Storms” of life – those that howl around us and those that stir within. Together, they will remind us that God is a steadying presence in every tempest, and that we are called to be steadfast companions to one another, anchoring each other with love through every storm we face.
With grace and peace,
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