By Pastor Tim

We live in a broken world that is desperate for peacemakers. When I think of Washington Cathedral, I think of this incredible family full of peacemakers. Nancy McJunkin has led, I don’t know how many, small groups. But behind the scenes she has helped many people struggling with deep hurts. I can feel the heart of Jesus when he says with such emotion and blessing – “blessed are the peacemakers…”

Rick and Karen Kammerer are both diligent peacemakers and Rick’s work, after being a veteran, has been helping stop forest fires, and helping at vital times in the church. Karen as a Seattle police detective was always an astonishing peace maker. Howard Blair and Tony Othieno are peace makers. They have raised their spectacular family with wisdom and good hearts that as a Christ follower they each stir deep hope for the future. How our society needs peace makers like them today. To laugh with them and share with them gives one peace. Doug and Carol Meckling who continue to reach out to people and help. Even after their 37th billion anniversary they are still there for family and friends turning tears to joy.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.

Join me as we begin a new series this Sunday on the joyful journey of peace making.
Services are at 10:30 am Sunday on Facebook Live, You Tube Live, www.wacathedral.org, or on the WaCathedral App.

Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White

Happy Father's Day

By Pastor Tim White

Jackie and I were hiking in the Wallowa mountains with our family when our kids were teenagers. We had followed this same trail together when we were in high school. The kids kept running ahead and wondered if we were there yet. Jackie and I laughed and told them “when it looks like heaven we will be there.” In a short time, they came running back saying enthusiastically “this is heaven!” I set up the tent and built a campfire while we all prepared to swim in the sparkling, clear Wallowa River. Jackie started dinner and we caught some trout while warming in the sundown. We watched deer, elk, beaver, and bear feeling like we were a part of their family. The sun began to set as we put on our Jackets and we ate roasted trout which tasted like lobster. No fishy taste in the high Wallowa’s. We picked some huckleberries and tasty mushrooms. Jackie made fried potatoes with asparagus. It was a feast. And of course, we topped it off with some wild s’mores which we wrestled down at Safeway in Wallowa. It was quite a feast. We sat out on a 100-ton piece of granite to watch the ‘once in a generation’ meteor shower. It was spectacular. We were so high in the mountains it seemed like we were looking at the sky through a great telescope. While we were sitting there by the fire on the granite one of my kids asked me – “Dad, how can heaven be any better than this?” I paused as we enjoyed the cracking fire. Then I said, “let’s try and imagine.”

This Sunday is Father’s Day - don’t you want to enjoy it as we worship the God of the Universe together with our families?

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

What an amazing time we are living through! Pandemic, International protests about our nation, racism and conflict between families over our response to the times. And yet we are the church trying to survive.

I have received a lot of good-natured criticism in the last two weeks for speaking out on this subject. And to make it more fun God has allowed critics from both the left and the right. Many times, it is life-long friends who are authentically standing for the truth as Christian Conservatives. And then it’s from their kids who are just as sincere pushing for change on the left. In the midst of this I have said repeatedly that black lives matter and how we are trying to live it out as a Christ-followers. As we work together, we are continuing to be the Family of Christ - the Church.

For those who haven’t listened to me in the last few weeks or read my post to 23,000 people on social media I say again … The situation right now in our country is one where a huge percentage of our population is hurting, and they don’t feel safe. It would be as if a wife comes to her husband and says, “I am hurting, and don’t feel safe,” and wants to know if she matters to her husband. And the husband says, “All wives matter.” Of course, all lives matter to Christ Followers but our neighbors and friends need to hear us say that black lives matter. So, we say it boldly. I know that makes many others feel insecure and you also matter to me. But it is time to speak out to a segment of our population that has endured 300 years of slavery and injustice. They need to feel a part of the family. What a joy it is to be criticized by both sides it gives a strange sense of balance to this unusual experience.

I care about you and I do enjoy hearing your convictions and I am battling as usual to help the church to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” It’s not easy but it is adventuresome.

Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White

What sets we Christ-followers apart from the rest of the world?  There is an old worship song called “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, that encapsulates how we are to be different.  Here are the lyrics:

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

In the midst of the pandemic, when tensions are heightened and many of us are not the best version of ourselves, we need to remember who we are: We are God’s children, Jesus followers, who demonstrate the Love of God in our homes and community.  This verse sums it up:

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15, NLT

In Pastor Tim’s 2-week series called “By Our Love”, we will be inspired to put our love into action, culminating in a joyful event on June 14th, from 2 to 4pm.  We hope that EVERYONE who is a part of the church in any way will bring non-perishable food items to the church. It will be a joyous parade, as our staff greets you and load your donations up to be taken to local food banks, who are in great need.

I’m excited about this opportunity.  Please come and be a part of showing we are Christians by our love!