A Message from Your Senior Pastor
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
Last week, as I prayed about a theme for our daily emails for Holy Week, I sensed the Spirit leading me to Jesus’ Seven Last Words from the Cross.

I sensed the Spirit leading us to prayerfully reflect on these seven sayings before our church was twice violated by an arsonist.

I sensed the Spirit leading us to prayerfully reflect on Jesus’ words from the cross before I realized what the first saying was, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

I cannot think of any words more fitting for us to meditate on today.

Jesus’ first words after he has been violated and brutalized is intercede for the ones who brutalized and violated him.

Twice this week our church has been violated and brutalized by an arsonist. Twice this week someone intentionally destroyed things we cherish, things we can never recover.

How will we respond?

From the cross, Jesus shows us the way to life is the way of forgiveness.

What is forgiveness?

Forgiveness is not condoning what happened. What happened was wrong.

Forgiveness is not absolution. The person responsible must still be held accountable and brought to justice.

Forgiveness is not reconciliation. Reconciliation, the repairing of broken relationships, is only possible after the person who has done wrong takes responsibility for their action, apologizes, and begins making amends for the damage they have done.

Forgiveness is not for the person who has done wrong.

Forgiveness is the gift we give ourselves by releasing the hurt, anger, and bitterness we feel toward the one who has wronged us.

Forgiveness, in this sense, is a process and often takes time.

Over the last 24 hours, it has slowly dawned on me all that I have lost.

My robe, a graduation gift from my parents, that I have worn most Sundays for the last 19 years.

The red stole placed on my shoulders at ordination; the white stole I wore when I preached my grandmother's funeral.

The hand-calligraphed copy of the Prayer of St. Francis April brought me when she visited Assisi; the cross-stitched cross she made for me the Christmas after her father died.

And all my books. So many books.

I am hurt by what has happened. I am angry at the person who did it.

But I refuse to let the hurt and anger turn into bitterness and resentment.

I chose to follow the way of Jesus on the cross so that I can begin to experience the healing he offers to all.

I hope you too will choose Jesus’ way of forgiveness.

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Donnie Wilkinson

PS: In January, I preached on the topic of forgiveness. For a fuller exploration of this aspect of forgiveness, please listen to the sermon .
How We Can Best Love Each Other
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
If you or a family member is sick, may have been directly exposed to the virus, or have traveled to a high-alert area (currently South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan), please follow the CDC guidelines and refrain from attending public events during the 14-day incubation period.

WORSHIP
While meetings on campus are suspended, you can still worship from the comfort of home via our livestream Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES AND SMALL GROUPS
Adult Sunday School classes and small groups are invited to continue the church-wide study of The Covenant: A Lenten Journey . The self-guided curriculum can be found here . You can do this study with your family from the comfort of your kitchen table.

STAY CONNECTED
You will continue to updated via emails like this one and can always refer to our website , Facebook page , and Instagram for more information.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Our congregational care team remains committed to offering excellent care to our congregation but is suspending in-person visits to hospitals and nursing homes. If you get sick, have a death in the family, or have another emergency, please call the church office at 225-924-6269 and follow the prompts to leave a message for the pastor on call.

Please use this form if you have additional questions about Broadmoor United Methodist’s response to the coronavirus. You can also call Mary Saltzman at 225-924-6269.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
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