Hutchinson is a town with 19 Christian churches, according to the Yellow Pages of the local NU-Telecom phone book. These churches are labeled Christian because they are based on Jesus Christ and everything He taught people about love, respect and concern for others, no matter their life circumstances.
As I think about this town filled with many people who declare they are Christian (not all people, mind you), I am surprised at the fear, distrust and at times, hatred that some people live by and express.
Our town needs to show each other and the world that we aren't so scared of life that we feel we must exclude people who aren't just like us. Besides, who are we? If anyone thinks this town is all white and all English-speaking, just go shopping at Walmart.
We have a moral obligation, if we claim to be Christian, to love one another as we are to love God and ourselves. We are mandated to take care of each other. Hate and fear are contrary to Christianity. We don't need to be afraid that new people to our community will take away all of our jobs or that our crime rate will soar. Statistics from multiple sources prove that is not the case. We don't need to be afraid of different languages and customs overtaking the dominant culture. “They” won't destroy our town and by extension our country. Hate and fear will.
So this is to say … Put the coffee on and welcome all of our brothers and sisters to sit at the table of peace and friendship in a genuinely nice town that is home to 19 Christian churches.
