UCC Officers: We must not turn on our back on Afghanistan

by UCC Leadership 

We write with profound grief at the news of the Taliban takeover of Kabul and fall of the Afghan government. Images like those of people clinging to U.S. planes are haunting, and they point to the desperation and fear of our Afghan siblings.  As we have said for years in the United Church of Christ, peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice. We need new approaches to address the root causes of unrest that lead to radicalization, and to break the cycle of violence.

To the resilient people of Afghanistan, we grieve with you and stand by you.  The cost you have borne already is unimaginable. We confess our nation’s failure in not centering Afghan leadership more and finding a way to build a durable peace over these twenty years. We repent our contribution to this cycle of violence, and we will not turn away from your suffering. We commit to actively engage our policymakers to see to it that our nation does not abandon you.  To our policymakers, we all must collectively own failure to draw this conflict to an end sooner and with a greater possibility for success. While we support the end of U.S. military occupation and operations, we must not turn our back on Afghanistan now or in the years to come.  To our active military, veterans, peace-builders, aid workers, and civil servants who have served and worked to aid Afghanistan, we are grateful for your service and sacrifice. Because of your efforts, many benefited from improved security, education, and a more robust civil society that included the leadership of women. We pray the seeds of hope and progress planted over these last 20 years continue to take root.

As a Just Peace Church, we proclaim with prophetic hope that “peace is possible.”  Let us hold on to the hope that peace is possible and commit ourselves not only to keeping our Afghan siblings in prayer, but also to committing: our churches to welcome refugees; our voices to engage in advocacy; our hearts to establish partnerships; and our minds and bodies to support the “things that make for peace.”

Faithfully,

The Rev. John C. Dorhauer
General Minister and President

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson
Associate General Minister, Wider Church Ministries and Operations

The Rev. Traci Blackmon
Associate General Minister, Justice and Local Church Ministries

         (Cards and Calls Appreciated)

Ella Rivers, Donna Church, Musz Bailey, Jim Babcock, Shelley Sherper, Bobbie Berg, Susan Olsen, Jackie Schuelein, Carol Lloyd, Joanne Burdick, Ruby Cawthra, Jane Houlton, Marion Marcott, Cheryl Wold, Judy Halgren, Amy Britt, Bailey Rosdahl, Jimmy Stevens, Dee & Jim Stevens (Jimmy’s parents), Dave Foley, John Olson, Nicole [Kilber] Teske, Linda Fenton, Dave Halgren, Diane Narr, Joan Axen and Nancy Andersen.

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To see the prayer post for the previous week, please click the link above 

Superior National Forest officials have closed the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to visitors for at least the next week, amid increasingly volatile wildfire conditions and concerns about limited resources to keep people safe.

The closure order, effective Saturday, "is due to active and increasing fire activity, extreme drought (and) limited resources," the Forest Service reported. Wilderness rangers were starting to notify and “sweep” people from the wilderness on Saturday afternoon; the Forest Service reported rangers were using floatplanes to reach some lakes and notify campers.   

                Prayer for Rain
O God, Your fingerprints are scattered across all of creation. Through each thing you have created, we see your glory. Your caring and gentle nature are for all to see and experience. Open the heavens and bring the waters down from above. This very day we ask that you open the flood gates. Bring down nourishing rains, that the fires may cease and the land may be quenched. 

Nancy Hassett asked for prayers for Val Hanson who fell yesterday.  Val is doing better and resting at home.

Marilyn Olson talked to Peta Barrett about the Boundary Waters fires caused by the severe drought.  The BWCA has been closed by the forest service which means closing of Peta’s and many other businesses in the area.  Please pray for Peta and others who are victims of the fires, and pray that the fires will be contained.

Dave Halgren asked for prayers for Mark Vossen who has been fighting a virus. He had an increased temp and atrial fibrillation.  His heart was shocked and returned to a normal rhythm.  Mark is now resting at home.  His heart rate and temp are down.

Jackie Schuelein asked for prayers for the people trying to get out of Afghanistan.

Laurie Lang also asked for prayers for those in Afghanistan and also for those in Haiti who are still struggling. 

Frank Scouten asked for prayers for Darla who had her cataract surgery and will have to wait two weeks for new glasses.  

Karen Sherper Rohs thanked the congregation for wearing masks which translates into caring for others and thinking of others outside ourselves.

Frank Scouten encouraged everyone to support Family Promise Anoka by attending their annual fundraiser,   “Hotdish for Homelessness” which will be held on  September 30^th, 6:30 PM, at Lord of Life Church in Ramsey. 

Join in for an evening of Music, Stories, and Laughter along with dinner.  If you cannot attend, please support financially. Our church has partnered with Family Promise Anoka since the chapter in Elk River closed.  Please contact Frank Scouten for questions and tickets.

Laurie Lang thanked all the friends for their support and love before and after the death of her mom, Jean.  She also thanked Robin for officiating at the memorial service yesterday, and Gigi who provided the music. 

Lisa Cawthra offered a prayer of thanks for all the cards and support she received on behalf of her daughter Ruby.