Day Three: I'm glad you're my neighbor

About a week before the inauguration, I heard about a group of (F)friends organizing a rally for Sunday. They didn't want it to be an anti-Trump event but rather a way of letting the Newberg community know we care.

As I said previously, Friday's protest in Portland was an expression of raw anger. Saturday's Women's March PDX was an expression of power and hope and determination. Sunday's gathering was a way to put some actions to our words.

Newberg Friends hosted the event, though it was arranged by several Newberg groups. Downstairs, we snacked on coffee and cookies while getting information on local organizations focused on peace, justice and support for the vulnerable in our community. Brad, Eryn and I were on cookie duty, keeping the snacks flowing :)

Upstairs, the sanctuary was set aside for quiet contemplation, prayer and meditation:

After a while, we all gathered briefly upstairs for prayer, then we moved to Francis Square and heard powerful words by community members:

Then we marched. About 200 people walked a loop along Highway 99W, showing support for our Newberg neighbors.

I am so thankful to be part of a faith community that strives to live Jesus's teachings of loving their neighbors.

... he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:29-37 NIV

Day Three.

I will not be complacent. It's time to fight.