Friends
I have been following the reports of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Each side has inflicted great violence on the other. I will leave it to the diplomats to determine how to entangle the sequence of attacks that seems to be escalating.
I want to take another side in the conflict. I want to be on the side of the children. Dozens of children have been killed in the conflict. Hundreds more have been injured. Thousands of children live in fear and trauma created by the conflict.
The news has reported that in one instance, an entire extended family was killed, except for one six-month-old infant who was found alive in his deceased mother’s arms. That is a horror beyond imagination.
All of this has a legacy. When we care for children, we form the future. Children grow to be adults based on the experiences of their childhood.
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) runs a large network of food pantries. When Sarai Rice was the director of DMARC, she told me that hunger has lasting effects on children. When children do not have proper nutrition in childhood, their brains do not develop in a healthy way. I believe the same is true when children are exposed to violence and trauma. It impacts their mental health.
In recent months at WDMUMC, we have baptized babies and toddlers. We gather around a child. Just being in their presence brings joy. We become childlike, making silly sounds and coaxing smiles. To be in the presence of the child is to witness a miracle. A child is an affirmation of life. Innocence and vulnerability and expectation and hope.
At those baptisms, we promise to surround the child with love and care. In many ways, every child we baptize represents all the children of the world. We, adults who vote and pay taxes and have a voice in the world, are promising children a healthy future.
Pray for the children caught in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Pray for the children anywhere who face violence and fear and hunger. Pray for children whose futures are at risk.
Prayers are a precursor to action. Pray to God and then let God pray us all into action to take up the side of children.
Blessings,
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Like us on Facebook or visit us at WDMUMC.org.
We worship! Join us for worship on Sunday mornings in person at 8:30 or watch our Livestream. Or watch our online worship at 9:30. Worship in the way that speaks to your soul.
Coming Up At WDMUMC
Changing worship times! Starting June 6th our in-person worship will start at 9 am. See you there!
Welcome, Royce! Congratulations to Rachel and Russell Vanderpool on the baptism of their son, Royce William! Welcome to the church, Royce!
Burnett Memorial A memorial service will be held for Norma and Paul Burnett on Saturday at 1 pm at McLaren’s Funeral home. All are welcome to attend. Please surround Norma and Paul’s family in your prayers.
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