Faith without fear, and a joyful path forward

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Faith without fear: an invitation to love over violence

That truth rang loudly this past week when we witnessed something both heartbreaking and sadly unsurprising. A local minister chose to weaponize his platform not to spread the love of God, but to stir fear and hate, especially toward our LGBTQIA+ siblings.

In a recent message, this minister used stock photos of people smiling at a Pride Festival. It is important to recognize that many who attend Pride events have experienced deep harm at the hands of religious institutions. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have often been exiled from churches, rejected by families, and alienated from faith traditions. As a result, many now feel little desire, or find no safe space, to engage with organized religion.

And then, as if to further underscore a harmful narrative, the minister included a disturbing image: a man pointing a gun at a clergy member leading worship at the altar. This was all part of his Sunday message.

Instead of preaching grace, mercy, or the radical, unconditional love of Christ, the minister chose the language of fear and violence. Rather than elevating Christ’s call to peace, he aligned himself with the toxic ideology of Christian Nationalism, a growing movement that dangerously fuses political identity with religious dominance.

Let us be clear: Christian Nationalism is not Christianity. It is the prioritization of power over compassion, of political identity over the teachings of Jesus. Its adherents often champion “God and country,” but neglect the actual words of Jesus who said, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

That love is not conditional. That love is not political. That love does not come with terms, litmus tests, or violence.

Christian nationalism seeks cultural control, not compassionate care. And in that pursuit, it abandons the very values Jesus embodied: mercy, humility, forgiveness, and the sacred dignity of every human life.

What came next from this minister was equally disturbing: he claimed he was now living in fear due to backlash. And yes, we pray for his safety. No one deserves to live in fear.

The problem in the end is that this minister is choosing to be the victim of a “cancel culture”, claiming he has faced pushback and fears for his life—despite having been the one who initiated harm against others. As followers of Christ, we are not called to deflect accountability, but to humbly repent for the harm we’ve caused and seek forgiveness. That is the path of true humility and reconciliation.

Here’s the thing: the minister’s words created that exact fear for others. For LGBTQIA+ people in our own community, his message wasn’t just offensive, it was terrifying. It only takes one “true believer” with a distorted sense of justice to act on that kind of rhetoric. That’s what hate speech does. It doesn’t stay in the sanctuary. It infects minds and fuels actions.

Each time we fuse faith with fear, or with violence, we walk away from Jesus.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Not the power-seekers. Not the fear-mongers. Not the ones who stir division under the guise of “truth.”

Mr. Minister, we offer you a prayer. The prayer is not one of condemnation, but of liberation. We pray you will come to know a faith that frees you, not one that frightens others. We pray you encounter the Jesus who sat with the outcasts, who welcomed the excluded, and who reserved his harshest words not for “sinners” but for the self-righteous who used religion to marginalize others.

Some of the clergy who have signed this open letter are veterans and former military chaplains. We have joined together as veterans and non-veterans to collectively honor those who gave their lives in service to uphold our nation’s freedoms, especially the freedoms of religion and speech. But with freedom comes responsibility. And within sacred spaces, that responsibility should be even greater.

Free speech is not a license to cause harm.

It should never be wielded as a weapon from the pulpit.

Faith leaders are called to speak not only truth, but truth spoken in love.

Not only with conviction, but with humility.

Not to claim victimhood, but to repent and seek forgiveness when harm has been done placing neighbor against neighbor.

These are the ways of Jesus.

To our neighbor minister, we offer an invitation. A place not to debate, but to break bread. Come meet with our congregations. Sit with us. Hear our stories. Listen, not with the intent to argue, but to understand. To learn how your words land on ears that have already been told by too many churches that they are unworthy of love. We don’t want you to live in fear. Because so many of us including LGBTQIA+ folks, allies, people of color, women in leadership, immigrants, and others, have walked those roads of fear for far too long.

What we desire is this: for you to thrive. To become the fullest, truest, best version of the person God created you to be. To know a love that has nothing to do with guns or exclusion, but everything to do with grace.

To know love minus any violence.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John: 4-18

“I don’t know any religion that promotes violence. It is the adherents of whatever religion who choose that path.” — The Rev. Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican Archbishop and Theologian

Community Lutheran’s fall Empowerment Campaign: a season of growth and vision

Community Lutheran is embarking on an exciting new chapter as we continue to grow in faith, service, and impact. This fall, we’re launching our Empowerment Campaign, a time to celebrate where we’ve been, cast vision for where we’re going, and invite everyone to play a vital role in sustaining and strengthening our shared ministry.

At the heart of this campaign is the introduction of our three Signature Ministries, which will help guide our mission through 2026 and beyond. These ministries reflect our deepest values and the unique call God has placed on this congregation.

Below is the timeline for this fall’s Empowerment Campaign:

Empowerment Campaign Timeline

• September 28 – Vision Session (In-Person): Introducing our Signature Ministries (9:30 a.m., between services)
• October 5 – Vision Session (via Zoom): Introducing Signature Ministries (time TBA)
• October 12 – First Appeal Letter mailed
• October 19 – Appeal Kickoff Sunday + First Temple Talk highlighting one of the Signature Ministries
• October 26 – Second Temple Talk highlighting a Signature Ministry and the call to “Sustain Ministry Excellence”
• November 2 – Third Temple Talk + Mailing of second letter and Commitment Card
• November 9 – Appeal Articulation Sunday: Summarizing the vision, need, and invitation to respond
• November 16 – Commitment Sunday: A sacred moment to offer our pledges and prayers
• December 7 – Celebrate! Announce campaign results and give thanks!

Monday Study Group begins new book, “The Sacred Year”

After months of study, the Monday Study Group, meeting at 10:30 a.m., has completed a review of the ten additional writings added to the traditional New Testament in the book, “A New New Testament,” edited by Hal Taussig. Simultaneously, the basics of some early Christian beliefs, labeled by the church as Gnostic, were also studied to better understand the ten writings.

Our next study will be of the 12 spiritual disciplines discussed in “The Sacred Year” by Michael Yankoski. The MSG studied this book several years ago, and we now look forward to discussing this easy-to-read, insightful book with new participants and their fresh thoughts and ideas.

If you have been considering a visit, now is a great time to give it a try. Used copies of the book are available from Amazon. The ISBN is 978-0-8499-2202-2.

Please email Dave Bartges if you plan to attend, so copies of any handouts can be available.

Community Lutheran Returns to the Rehoboth Block Party!

Community Lutheran is excited to once again take part in the CAMP Rehoboth Block Party with our very own booth! This beloved annual event is more than just a celebration—it’s an opportunity for us to show up as a reminder of God’s loving presence in a hurting world.

This year’s Block Party will take place on Sunday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Hosted by CAMP Rehoboth, the event is free and open to all, though donations are encouraged to support their important work.

Started in 2015 to celebrate CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary, the Block Party has grown into a vibrant tradition that brings the entire community together. Attendees can expect live performances, dozens of local vendors, and a festive atmosphere filled with joy, creativity, and connection. You’ll find everything from sea glass art, ceramics, and photography to handmade body care products and information about local non-profits and businesses.

Throughout the day, performances will take place at the CAMP Rehoboth stage, located mid-block. Please note that parking on the second block of Baltimore Avenue will be closed during the event, but parking nearby is free, and the event is accessible via several entrances:

• First St. & Baltimore Ave.
• Second St. & Baltimore Ave.
• Rehoboth Mews or Village by the Sea (from Rehoboth Avenue)

We hope you’ll stop by our booth, say hello, and share in this celebration of diversity, community, and love. Your presence matters. Let’s show Rehoboth that Community Lutheran is here with open arms and an open heart.

Blessing of the Animals set for Oct. 26

Community Lutheran is partnering with Playtime Doggie Day Camp in Frankford to host this year’s Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.

In preparation, we will be collecting dog treats, cat treats, and pet toys to bundle and share with every four-legged friend who attends. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks about how you can contribute.

All are welcome to join us for this joyful celebration of creation and companionship.

YAY Cake & Coffee Hour Celebration

We did it! Join us between services on Sunday, Sept. 28 for a special YAY Cake & Coffee Hour as we celebrate reaching our $50,000 grant challenge goal — a milestone worth cheering.

This joyful fellowship time will also introduce Community’s 2026 vision through our three Signature Ministries. Ministry leaders will share what’s ahead and how you can get involved in the meaningful work to come. Come celebrate, connect, and catch the vision.

What’s Happening at Community