a note from rev. sharon

Dear St. John’s,
    I recently heard a talk on “Sisters, not Strangers” at a women’s spirituality event. The speaker was a Muslim woman who, among other things, serves as an elected official in her town and assists a refugee-resettlement agency. She also raises sheep.
    When breeding sheep, she chooses mates based on their diversity because this produces stronger, healthier lambs, she said. Diversity is a strength – for humans as well as sheep. It reminds me of a friend’s comment that, when she dies, she’ll know she’s in hell if everyone is exactly like her.
    We’re currently observing two events that celebrate the value and strength of our diversity: LGBTQ Pride Month and Juneteenth.
    On Saturday, June 17, St. John’s we participated in the Boonton Rainbow Pride celebration at Grace Lord Park. 
    Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in this country. June 16 was the state holiday and June 19 is the federal holiday commemorating the day federal troops informed slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they were free – 2 ½ years after the civil war ended.
    I hope we all can join in celebrating these events and each other, giving thanks for the wonderful diversity of the human race and all of God’s creation. For we are fearfully and wonderfully made, each of us unique, each of us in God’s image, all of us beloved children of God.

Rev. Sharon

P.S. – Don’t forget to bring groceries on Sunday for our monthly collection for the Boonton food pantry.