Dear Westwood Family,

I have a vivid memory of a Sunday morning in May 20 years ago, when I learned two very different things by early morning phone call: that my husband Matt was finally safely out of Iraq and on his way home from his Army deployment, and that a young man from my church, Justin O’Donohoe, was one of ten soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan the day before. I felt relief and heartbreak, and a deep awareness of the devastating costs of war. I will never forget the sharpness of grief on that Sunday morning, or the deep, deep pain carried by his parents and loved ones when we buried him at Fort Rosecrans just over a week later. Twenty years later, I continue to be vividly aware of some of the costs of war, both in the scars carried by those who return and in the grief carried for those who do not.

This is, of course, to say nothing of the horrific costs of war to the communities where the violence takes place–the civilian lives lost, the communities destroyed.

I’ve struggled to clarify my feelings since the US and Israel began war with Iran last weekend: certainly they include heartbreak, anxiety, fear, and anger. I am keenly aware of how removed I often feel in my everyday life, far away from the painful costs of war. I know the insulating privilege of distance. I don’t, however, want to lose perspective so that I cannot also perceive its horror. As people of faith, we are called to pay attention, to grieve and lament, and to keep faith that there can be another way. We are called to hold on to hope that another path is possible–one that leads to peace.

We are called to hold our government accountable, to advocate for an end to violence, to set a high standard for the use of military violence. I deplore the inadequate and shifting justifications given for this war with Iran. And also, though I also oppose the brutal and unjust leadership in Iran, I have little faith that this violence will lead to a more peaceful and just outcome.

Our United Methodist Church’s Social Principles speak clearly:

“The church deplores war and all other forms of violent conflict and urges the peaceful settlement of all disputes. We yearn for the day when there will be no more war and people will live together in peace and justice.

“We reject the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and insist that every peaceful and diplomatic means of resolution be exhausted before the start of armed conflicts. Similarly, we oppose the increasing reliance on preemptive strikes unless they can be clearly demonstrated to be proportionate in response, delimited in human casualties, and undertaken in response to clear and immediate threats to human lives. …”

Still, we cannot give in to despair. (I say this to myself, and to you.) Instead, we are called to lift our voices to seek and speak out for options beyond the ones that may seem immediately available. God continues to be at work in our world, and calls us to persist in believing that another way is possible. As we live out love for neighbors and strangers, in our communities and as part of a globalized world, we proclaim the strength that comes through the love of God.

Please note: These days, I’m especially aware of how good it feels to get together for worship–I’m grateful to be able to do that on Sunday mornings. I know that this Sunday, the logistics of getting to church (or getting home!) are more complicated for many of us, as it’s LA Marathon day. Please know that there will be many street closures in the area, most of them through 3pm. Still, we’re glad to be able to gather in worship, and Dr. Carter and I look forward to Sunday. And, both of our Sunday worship services are accessible (live or later) on YouTube.

grace and peace,

Pastor Molly