Good morning, friends,
Judge Colin Witt has died. He served as a District Associate Judge in Polk County serving in the Juvenile Court. He was 45 years old. He died on Sunday after a long battle with lymphoma. During his career as a judge, he worked to improve the lives of children and strengthen families. Each day in his courtroom he listened to the stories of what went wrong and he worked to restore what is right. He was a public servant who made our community better.
This morning his obituary appeared in the paper. It is beautiful, words we all need to hear: “Colin believed that our commitment to justice, the character of our society, the rule of law, and fairness and equality is how we treat the poor, the lost, the broken, the accused, and the incarcerated. He believed that each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. Colin had the ability to hold power and tenderness in the same breath; always seeking to see the other and lead with love, understanding, mercy, and justice. He believed in the power of community and that together we are each other’s harvest…Colin believed in building up others around him.”
I met Judge Witt only once, very briefly. I didn’t really know him. I never sat in his courtroom. I don’t know the families he worked with or specific rulings he made, although I do believe his work changed the community around me. What I do know are lawyers and social workers and judges who worked with him. I know him because I saw the difference in his strength of character made in their lives. I know his dedication because I have seen it in the lives of those he inspired. On Sunday in our worship service, one of the people who had worked with Judge Witt lifted him in prayer.
Even though I barely knew him, his life had a ripple effect touching my life even though I never stepped into his courtroom. One person living life with conviction and purpose can do that.
Each of us has the ability to lead our lives with love, understanding, mercy, and justice. And when we do, those same qualities to ripple into the lives of those around us. We influence others to live with love, understanding, mercy, and justice. Those same qualities ripple out, as a stone dropped in a pond, extending further and further. They bring a harvest that looks like the kingdom of God.
Today Lent begins. One man begins his walk to the cross. We will follow him and the way he lived will ripple into our lives, carry us on a wave of love, understanding, mercy, and justice.
And that changes everything.
My sympathy to the Witt family and my deepest thanks to them for sharing Colin with us.
Blessings,
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Like us on Facebook or visit us at wdmumc.org.
On Sunday morning we worship at 8 am in a traditional way, at 9:30 blending tradition and new music and at 11 in a casual way. You are invited to join in worship in whatever way is right for you. NOTE! These are new worship times! Sunday school is from 9:30 to 10:30.
And we will Livestream our 9:30 service!
This Week at WDMUMC
Ash Wednesday Service tonight at 7 pm. Our confirmation students will lead this service. The service will include the imposition of ashes. Come and begin the journey to Easter.
Midweek Refuel tonight! This is our weekly meal. Tonight our cooks are serving up tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Comfort food on a cold winter night! Serving begins at 5:30. A free-will offering supports our Everybody Eats! program ensuring that neighborhood children and beyond have the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.
Sunday! Our Lenten Series begins as we launch a new worship service. Please keep our church and this new chapter in your prayers.
Coffee Servers Needed this Sunday! Would you or your group be willing to serve coffee? Reply to this email!
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