October 2, 2020
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Dear Lake B Family and Friends,
Please read below a letter from Michael Won addressed to all those who supported and gave to the COVID-19 Relief Fund: "Who would have thought that the 'Emergency COVID Relief Fund' would have come this far? I certainly did not. I remember the first month of overseeing the fund with a few others, and having a sense of anxiety about the sustainability of it all. I remember receiving thousands of dollars in donations and being in awe of folks' generosity. I remember putting a freeze on the fund because our resources had seemingly dried up. I remember Shearl saying, "If we have the means to support, let's not hold back, because God will continue to provide for us..." These words were - and continue to be - a grounding truth in this work. We have already received and distributed nearly $150,000 to individuals and families in the broader Highline Community. We are so thankful for and taken aback by your generosity. The necessity for a fund like this has been made clear in the past seven months. May we challenge ourselves to reflect on the deep inequities that require this relief work in our community. Our efforts must be twofold: 1) provide immediate and tangible support to those facing difficult and often unjust circumstances in the present moment; and 2) commit ourselves to the work of interrogating and dismantling the systems that allow for these circumstances to be so commonplace in our neighborhoods. The work continues." Michael Won Director of Youth Programming From Pastor Lina: This fund has been supported by people here at Lake B and by many, many others from the community - individuals, churches and organizations. A huge thank you to the small team that has been managing this process - Michael Won, Shearl Cornelius, Anne Tiernan and Gaby Palma. Michael will be less involved in this effort going forward, but we are keepIng the fund open. If you have time and can volunteer to help support the operations of this fund, please contact Shearl at the office. office@lbpc.org Election Season We are in an important time in the life of the community and the congregation, and as people committed to seeing "on earth as it is in heaven." Actively engaging that prayer will further open our eyes to see that God has chosen to move and act in the world through us. Many of us may be experiencing moments of weariness as we consider all that is happening, especially as we bear witness to a very toxic election season. I believe strongly that God is always at work, especially when things look really bleak. I pray that we are centered in peace, committed to working toward a vision of wholeness for all of creation, and that we find our rootedness in Christ and in community. With gratitude for you and the ministry we share together, Pastor Lina |