September Social Holiness Updates and Opportunities: Local and Global
Greetings Lakewood UMC! There is a lot going on in nation and our world these days – here are a few opportunities you can take to add more love here at home, and throughout the world…
Local:
Matthew Silverstone, one of the two students wounded in the Evergreen school shooting is still in critical condition and fighting for his life. Students have shared stories of Matthew’s heroic actions that day by warning other students there was a shooter, even as he was wounded himself. His family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with what will likely be lifelong medical expenses. Please consider giving what you can and continue to pray for Matthew and the other student (who has not been publicly named) that was moved from critical to serious condition last week. Also, continue to hold Evergreen High School in your prayers as teachers and students return to school this week – along with all our Jefferson County School District students, employees, and families who are feeling the ripple effects of this tragedy throughout our broader community.
Then, please take a moment to contact your congressional representatives and encourage them to pass common sense gun laws. Here is a link to a template for a letter from the UMC General Board of Church and Society: GVP sample advocacy letter (1).pdf
To read more about Matthew Silverstone and the latest update on his condition, click here.
Lakewood Zoning Update:
A big shoutout once again to our LUMC members who’ve shown up for affordable housing for all our neighbors right here in Lakewood – Maddie Nicholson, David Brown, David Persons, and Pastor Ben! Here’s an update and invitation from Together Colorado’s JeffCo organizer, Maki Somosot:
Over the last month, dozens of our Lakewood leaders have been testifying, submitting comments, and showing up at council hearings to demand an inclusive Lakewood where everyone can afford a place to call home. (At the first hearing, we had seven ToCo members testify for the zoning change – with more submitting comments online and showing up in person to support our chapter members who testified!).
Thanks to this people-powered effort, Lakewood City Council has overwhelmingly approved updates to the city’s zoning code to allow more affordable housing, increase density, and remove outdated parking requirements. (Read more about Lakewood’s rezoning fight on PBS here – which quotes our very own Pastor Ben Hensley of Lakewood UMC. )
Note: Our Lakewood leaders are staying vigilant and keeping their ear to the ground – as there may still be a referendum coming to repeal the zoning changes.
But for now, please Save the Date on Monday, October 13th (starting at 6:30pm)!
We invite you to join us and stand in solidarity with all of our Lakewood neighbors – who will be showing up in numbers at Lakewood City Council on the 13th to support passing the final rezoning map!
Global:
A belated birthday request from yours truly… 😊 Sunday, September 21st was my birthday – though I didn’t get to celebrate it with you all because Zoë and I were stuck at home with COVID. Boo. However, September 21st was also (as it is every year) the United Nations’ International Day of Peace! This year, the UMC General Board of Church and Society is asking that United Methodists encourage our congressional leaders to support House Resolution 317 / Senate Resolution 323, which encourages the U.S. to return to the negotiating table on nuclear disarmament and to lead a global effort to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons. You can read more about our long-standing United Methodist position on this issue, and send an message to your Representative/Senators here.
Thank you, Lakewood UMC, for these and all the ways you add more love to the world!
Until justice rolls down,
Rev. Dr. Becky David Hensley
becky@lumc.net
