There is real value in these local congregations. For me, a lot of it is the value of the sacraments we share. In neighborhoods like ours, the churches provide stability.

Look through the prayer books. You'll see lots of dates. You'll see names of Native Americans remembered. This was an open-sourcing project among so many people.

That is the power of the Eucharist. At the communion table you have rich and poor together in the early church and they were being challenged.

It's always a good idea to have a nun next to you when you get arrested!

The church is like Noah's ark. It stinks, but if you get out of it, you'll drown.

So even as we see the horror of death, may we be reminded that in the end, love wins. Mercy triumphs. Life is more powerful than death. And even those who have committed great violence can have the image of God come to life again within them as they hear the whisper of love. May the whisper of love grow louder than the thunder of violence. May we love loudly.

If you have two coats you have stolen one. We have no right to have more than we need when someone else has less than they need.