Dear Rose Park,

It happened again. A familiar scene played out on the television. Lights are flashing, service personnel are tending to the wounded and frightened, SWAT officers are standing at the ready, FBI officials are clearly marked and armed, news trucks and cameras surround the scene, and we all stare with eyes wide and hands over our mouths at the television screen. Monday March 22, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado will be another date and city added to the list of mass shootings in the United States.

Dear Rose Park,

Music is a big deal in our family. Almost every day, music will be played around our house while the kids run from one room to the next. The ‘dance floor’ is typically in the kitchen where everyone shows off their best moves while trying not to slip and fall. Simon, in particular, loves to dance and teach Winnie his moves. Recently he’s invented a new dance move called “the elbow dance;” essentially, you just put your fists together, point your elbows out and sway back and forth to the beat of the music. Our hearts are filled with joy and laughter as we watch them carelessly and unashamedly dance.

Dear Rose Park,

The Worship Sourcebook describes the season of Lent using these words: as a period of preparation, Lent has historically included the instruction of persons for baptism and profession of faith; the calling back of those who have become estranged from the church; and efforts by all Christians to deepen their piety, devotion, and readiness to mark the death and resurrection of their Savior.

Lent is a time of preparation, not just for those who are new to the faith, but for us all.

Dear Rose Park,

In one of Jesus’ many lessons, He says, “truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Mt. 25:40). This passage of scripture is often quoted and cited as it relates to ministry to the ‘least of these.’ I’ve heard this passage over and over throughout my life, but it came to life two weeks ago.

Dear Rose Park,

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving” Colossians 4:2

Dear Rose Park,

Have you ever heard the phrase “every poet is a thief”? It essentially means that thoughts, ideas, words, etc. are rarely original; but rather stolen and modified from something else. Rarely, do we reinvent the wheel; perhaps we tweak or repair the wheel but more often than not we are merely adding on to the work of those who did it before us. These letters I write are a great example; I am not reinventing the wheel through these letters. In fact, most of the inspiration for these letters comes from you all. As I’m visiting with you over coffee, saying a prayer with you in the hospital, crossing paths with you at the gas station, or even waving to you while on a run I am inspired by your thoughts, ideas, and words.

Dear Rose Park,

Growing up I played three sports throughout the year. I laced up my cleats for the soccer team in the fall, put on my goggles for the swim team in the winter, and broke in my catchers-mitt for the baseball team in the spring. I was most gifted for baseball, less gifted for swimming, and even less gifted for soccer. As an athlete on multiple team sports you become accustom to hearing the language of coaches. One of those commonly used phrases is “eyes on me.”

Dear Rose Park,

Simon started swim lessons this past week. From 5:30pm - 6:00pm Monday through Thursday for two weeks, Simon and I drive to the Holland Aquatic Center. It’s only been three days and he’s already having the time of his life; he loves to jump off the edge into the instructors arms, he loves to blow bubbles, and he loves to kick and splash.

Dear Rose Park,

Did you know that we have a church library? Did you know that it’s tucked away in the basement? Do you know we have a basement? In any case, we have a library worth of Christian resources. Sure, some of those resources are a bit out of date; I found a lot of curriculum-based resources dated in the mid-60’s and to be honest I think we still have some VHS tapes. Regardless, we have an entire room filled with the words and wisdom of fellow Christians. Some of those voices are from decades, even centuries ago and others are still alive today.

Dear Rose Park,

This letter comes from the desk of our beloved elder Joe DeVette…

Do you feel like God was absent from your life, and maybe the whole world, last year? The joy of Christmas is over (hopefully you did find the joy) and the new year has begun. And, if you’re like me, you’re looking forward not only to a new year, but a better year as well. I can’t imagine that 2020 was a banner year for any of us (throughout the whole world). Where was God?