06/18/2026
It amazes me how technology works. I am literally half way around the world typing this email. I am sitting at a hotel bar in Taiwan listening to 50s American music. When I his send, somehow the message will go through buildings and through trees and around corners to be picked up by some receiver and placed on some high fiber wire. That wire will send it back to the United States to some terminus point. It then leaves the fiber wire and is transmitted back to some sort of wave where many of you will receive this on your cell phone. We can send a message at high speeds anywhere in the world.
I often wonder about the messaging during Jesus time. It was one person at a time sharing his message of love and justice one person at a time, one community at a time. We have the opportunity to share the message to multiple people, in multiple ways, in multiple places with a singe key stroke. Yet when we do that, we get opposition pushing against our mantra, “Jesus loves you, no exceptions”. Looking through the comments on Facebook announcing the interfaith service at Grace in support of Pride Week makes me think of the opposition Jesus faced. His opponents were able to have him crucified on the cross, but he overcame death and was resurrected. We need to rise up, show that we mean “Jesus loves you, no exceptions” and overcome the hatred and vitriol others show. Let’s have a great showing for the Interfaith Service (more details below) and show Mansfield what true love is.
Yesterday, our group visited a Budha temple. It was started by someone who traveled India and China listening to, and spreading, the teachings of Confucius. Today, we visited a Taoist Temple. We also visited a Buddhist Museum. I had the opportunity of presenting a candle to Budha and make a wish. Mine was for everyone to show kindness to one another and eliminate hate. I then received my message which is “challenge yourself by overthrowing your selfishness and bad habits, and a bright future lies ahead”.
A note from our stewardship committee –
“ This week we celebrate God‘s abundance.
In creation, in our community, and in our lives, God provides more than enough.
How will you share your plenty?”
Friday – June 19 – 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Juneteenth Celebration – Ashland Historical Society
Sunday – June 21 – 10:00 am – Morning Prayer
Sunday – June 21 - 11:00 am – FOOD – Casserole Sunday – Bring your favorite casserole dish
Wednesday – June 24 – 7:00 pm – Interfaith Service for Pride Week – Grace Episcopal Church
Saturday – June 27 – 11:00 am – Pride Parade – Mansfield – Line up begins at 10:00 am – Come to Grace Church and we will walk over the lineup.
Saturday – June 27 – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Pride Festival Mansfield
Sunday – July 12 – The Bishop is Coming! The Bishop is Coming!
Tuesday – July 14 – 12:00 pm – Lunch Bunch – Ohio Fire Pizza
I will see everyone at Mansfield Pride!
Lee A. Peters
