A Place to Belong...

By Rev. Jasper Peters, Associate Pastor

I remember the moment when I realized that the church of my youth could no longer be my church home. I had questions that my church wasn't able to answer. No one showed me to the door, but it became clear over time that I couldn't find what I was looking for in that space. I am deeply aware of what it feels like to not belong. 

Even as painful as that was, I know people who've had much worse experiences in church. I know people who had similar experiences, except they were shown the door. They were told that they did not fit, were not welcome, and could not belong. 

Yet, we can look to the example of Jesus. He invited those who had been rejected, those who were broken, those who thought they had everything, and they all walked together. His was a radical and limitless invitation. What's more, He reoriented their lives with a call for justice. He invited them into a Kingdom that did not yet exist, and then gave them the tools to create it. This new world, this place where God's love and justice reigns, is a place where all may belong. 

This is something Trinity has tried to do since its inception. Our church has grown into a regional beacon, drawing members and attendees from dozens of miles around each week. We now have the opportunity to share much of that wisdom, experience, and love for God in a new endeavor that is focused on a much smaller geographic area. Trinity has been invited to share in the birthing of a new church community. The call is to act first at a parent entity, and later as a partner congregation. As a parent, Trinity might lend the expertise and stability of experience boards, helping to guide the new congregation. As a partner, Trinity might engage in collaborative ministry opportunities, working to discern creative ways to bless and serve our neighbors. 

This new congregation will be called Belong. It is a community that is intentionally diverse, accepting of all, and focused on promoting justice. We will be located in what is currently St. Paul's UMC (scheduled to close at the end of May 2016). We will begin weekly worship in early 2017. I recognize that this news might present more questions than answers. In the coming months, we will have opportunities to ask questions as a community, and to seek God's presence and will together. In the meantime, I am happy to answer any questions that I am able, so feel free to call or email. 

Yours in Christ, 

Rev. Jasper

720-248-7387 | jpeters@trinityumc.org

Saying Grace

From Rev. Jasper Peters, Associate Pastor

Growing up, my family would always say grace before a meal. My father would say the same thing before each meal. Every so often, the children would be invited to say a rudimentary prayer, but often we would just be there to listen. I never understood why it was called grace.

My first week away at college, I realized I could now begin to figure out who I would be, independent of family traditions. I considered whether it was necessary to continue saying a formulaic prayer before I ate. It was honestly difficult to make this decision in the middle of a college dining hall. While sitting at a table of 18 and 19-year-olds, I stopped talking, closed my eyes, and I took a moment to think.

I thought about all the things that had happened in my life that had brought me to that moment at that table. I acknowledged all the things that might have gone differently in my life, preventing me from sitting at that table. Then I thought about the sacrifices of plants and animals that made the meal possible at all. Something had to die so that I might live. How could all this even be possible? All of a sudden, the word “grace” made a lot more sense.

I decided then and there that praying before a meal would be something I did going forward, not because I had been taught to do so, but rather because I decided to do so on my own. I don’t always say the same words, but rather I sit there quietly, calming down enough to realize that I didn’t earn what I have, but rather it is a massive and meaningful gift. After a few days, several of my new friends took notice of my 10-15 second pre-meal silent ritual. Some of them stared as if they were confused. A few others complimented me, thinking I must be some sort of monk-in-training. In reality, I simply had a lot for which I was thankful.