How wonderful it was to share such a meaningful and vibrant Holy Week and Easter at Sonoma United Methodist Church. My heart was full—celebrating resurrection in a sanctuary alive with the beautiful diversity of God’s children. And yet, only hours later, we began hearing disturbing reports of escalating war and violence. There are moments when the world feels like it is holding its breath. This is one of those moments. 

The language we are hearing—especially from the Administration of the United States—and the responses and escalation from the government of Iran carry the weight of real and devastating harm. Threats of widespread destruction, including strikes on infrastructure that sustains civilian life, are being openly discussed, even as military action is already underway. 

It is right to name this for what it is: frightening. 

As Christians, we are not called to pretend everything is fine. Jesus himself wept over Jerusalem and spoke honestly about the consequences of violence. We must also speak plainly: rhetoric and actions—whether from the United States or Iran—that move toward escalation, that treat human lives as expendable, or that normalize destruction on a massive scale are morally wrong. They stand in direct contradiction to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Social Principles of our Church call us to pursue peace, to resist war whenever possible, and to reject actions that bring indiscriminate harm. We cannot be silent when leaders—any leaders—move in the direction of devastation. 

So how do we respond? 

John Wesley’s simple rule still guides us: do no harm, do good, and stay rooted in grace. 

We resist fear turning into hatred. 

We pray—not as a last resort, but as real participation in God’s work. 

We remain grounded in Christ, so that we are formed by love rather than anxiety. 

And if you find yourself thinking, “Prayer does not feel like enough,” you are not alone. Prayer is not the only thing we do—but it is never a small thing. Prayer shapes us. It softens what fear hardens. It keeps our hearts from becoming what we oppose. And from that place, we act—we speak, we advocate, we show up with courage and compassion. 

Scripture calls us to be peacemakers. Tradition reminds us the Church has faced moments like this before. Reason tells us the cost of escalation is immense. Experience shows us that violence only multiplies suffering. 

And so we bear witness to another way. 

We do not look away. 

We do not give in to despair. 

We remember who we are. 

Jesus, even in the face of violence, chose love over harm. And in the resurrection, God declares that death and destruction do not have the final word. 

We are Easter people. 

So we pray for peace. 

We speak of sacred worth. 

We seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, even in horrific moments. 

The world may feel like it is holding its breath. 

But we are not without hope. 

Christ is risen. And that changes everything. 

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor M@