An Affirmation of Faith by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 I refuse to believe that we are unable to influence the events which surround us.

I refuse to believe that we are so bound to racism and war, that peace, brotherhood and sisterhood are not possible.

I believe there is an urgent need for people to overcome oppression and violence, without resorting to violence and oppression.

I believe that we need to discover a way to live together in peace, a way which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation.
The foundation of this way is love.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. I believe that right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.

I believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.

I believe that what self-centered people have torn down, other-centered people can build up.

By the goodness of God at work within people, I believe that brokenness can be healed. “And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together, and everyone will sit under their own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid.”
— (Adapted from the United Presbyterian Church Prayer on Martin Luther King, Jr.)

May we be vessels of hope and justice in a world inundated with countless forms of violence
and injustice.
May we never stand on the sidelines as we witness injustice done upon our sisters and brothers
but walk with eyes open to the needs of our communities,
with ears open to the needs of our world,
and with hands open in helpful service to our neighbors.
Then we will not only be blessed, but be a blessing to our world.
This is our prayer. Amen

by Dianna Ortiz, OSU

Dedicated to the memory of Dr. John Cheng, a resident of Laguna Niguel, CA who laid down his life to save the lives of his brothers and sisters while in the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, our colleagues, patients, his church family and all those affected by this senseless tragedy.

Shared by Liz Solrensen Wessel
Painting by my dear friend and a beautifully inspired artist, Maria Doglio