A Word from our Pastor

October 2^nd, 2006 began as a typical fall day in the countryside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. But the peace of that country life was shattered by the gunfire heard from within a one-room schoolhouse where ten Amish girls were murdered by Charles Carl Roberts IV. Charlie Roberts was known to the Amish community. He was a milk truck driver who serviced the farms of some of the victims’ families. Nine years earlier, his wife Amy gave birth to their first daughter, but the baby died after only living for twenty minutes. Charlie never forgave God for her death, and he planned to take revenge. 

On the morning of the disaster, witnesses reported that Charles told the girls he was sorry for what he was about to do, but “I’m angry at God, and I need to punish some Christian girls to get even with Him.” Charles died that day from self-inflicted gunfire. 

News of that horrible event traveled world-wide. It is likely that you remember it taking place. What makes the story so remarkable is the response. As the Amish community recoiled in grief over the loss of their children, they didn’t cast blame, point fingers, or hold a press conference. That afternoon, an Amish grandfather of one of the victims was one of the first to express forgiveness toward the killer. Amish neighbors visited the Roberts family to comfort them in their sorrow and pain. The Amish families invited the Roberts family to the funeral of one of the Amish girls who had been killed, and Amish mourners outnumbered non-Amish at Charles Roberts’ funeral.

True forgiveness is one of the hardest things for us to do, but it is at the heart of reconciliation. Reconciliation is taking two parties that were once enemies and making the relationship whole again. Not just to the point of quiet toleration, but full friendship. Paul talks about this sort of relationship we have with God because of Christ in Colossians chapter one. We were His enemies, but He made us His friends.