UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PASTOR'S BLOG
On the clear and peaceful morning of August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped from the U.S. military plane Enola Gay onto the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The bomb exploded at an altitude of 600 meters, unleashing catastrophic radiation, intense heat, and an overwhelming force that created a blazing fireball.
This tragic moment marked the first use of a nuclear weapon for immediate and indiscriminate mass destruction. According to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), estimates suggest that between 90,000 and 166,000 lives were lost in Hiroshima alone—a staggering toll from a total population of about 340,000 to 350,000.
Each year, when I glance at my birthday on the calendar—August 6—I am reminded that it is also Hiroshima Day. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and, three days later, Nagasaki brought a devastating close to World War II. Though they ended the war, they also left deep scars, while initiating efforts to rebuild lives and nations devastated by conflict and poverty.
Sadly, war has not ceased. Countless lives continue to be lost, and hunger and poverty persist around the world. As a follow-up to the Interfaith Dialogue on Freedom held at United Presbyterian Church—which I facilitated and previously discussed in this column—I would like to initiate a similar dialogue on the topic of “Poverty.” This may begin as an adult class in September.
Stacy Singh once noted that “the Christian response to poverty must begin with the whole person, rooted in a biblical understanding of creation.” Dr. Art Lindsley, vice president of theological initiatives at the Institute of Faith, Work, and Economics, echoed this in an interview with the American Family Association Journal, where he explained how a Christian worldview shapes our understanding of poverty.
“People are made in God’s image to use their creativity to develop the potential of creation,” he said. “Only God created something out of nothing, but we are called to create something out of something—to take the stuff of creation and use our creativity concerning it.”
Work, then, is not simply about earning a living—it reflects one’s God-given purpose. It allows individuals to make meaningful contributions to society and to flourish personally.
Lindsley further observed, “Poverty is not just a lack of money or a lack of food. Poverty is often associated with a lack of hope.” In the book For the Least of These, Peter Greer of Hope International recounts asking individuals in Rwanda how they experience poverty. Their responses included: “Poverty is an empty heart. Not knowing your abilities and strengths. Not being able to make progress. Isolation. No hope or belief in yourself. Broken relationships. Not knowing God.” Only one response dealt with a lack of money or food.
I extend my gratitude to our Deacons for organizing local poverty relief efforts and to the Mission Committee for taking those efforts beyond Stutsman County. I encourage everyone to read the Deacon and Mission Committee sections in the Communicator and to stay tuned to our weekly announcements for opportunities to get involved. Let us also remember to pray for wisdom and guidance as we seek meaningful ways to understand and respond to poverty.
May we be people who do not turn away from suffering, but who, through grace and action, bring hope where it is needed most.
God bless,
Pastor Bob Boyar
Ellen and I are joyfully returning home on July 4th after a wonderful time visiting family in the Philippines. It feels especially meaningful to be arriving on Independence Day, a time when we remember the powerful declaration that established the United States as “Free and Independent States.” The idea of freedom is deeply woven into our identity—not just as a nation, but also as individuals created in God’s image.
On Saturday, May 17th, I had the privilege of facilitating a very special event—an Interfaith Dialogue on Freedom, held at United Presbyterian Church. Fifteen members from our church and the wider community gathered in our Fellowship Hall from 10:30 AM to noon to explore this important topic together.
For those unfamiliar, interfaith dialogue involves people from diverse religious backgrounds—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Agnostic, and Atheist—coming together in conversation. These conversations encourage understanding, empathy, and collaboration, especially in pursuit of peace and justice. We learned that dialogue, at its heart, is not about debating who is right, but about listening respectfully to understand one another more deeply.
Dialogue involves the respectful exchange of ideas with the goal of achieving mutual understanding. It’s less about convincing and more about connecting through honest and open conversation.
The fifteen participants sat at three round tables, engaging in guided discussions based on prompts. We began with role-playing to practice active listening-an essential skill that enhances respectful communication and creates space for genuine learning.
With a foundation of respect established, we moved in deeper dialogue about the meaning of freedom. We used the metaphor of a tree—its roots, trunk, and branches—to explore how health, both physical and spiritual, reflects freedom from disease. Just as a healthy tree thrives, so too does a person who experiences freedom in body, mind, and soul.
We acknowledged that freedom is not always defined by physical space. Some prisoners may feel spiritually free, while others outside may feel confined by addiction, fear, or the longing for approval. True freedom lies in the state of our inner being.
Forgiveness emerged as a powerful pathway to freedom. Letting go of the need for retribution—toward others or ourselves—allows the soul to breathe and move forward in peace.
As we concluded, I emphasized that freedom and healing require ongoing practice. I shared my personal journey—undergoing shoulder replacement surgery on June 6, 2024—an experience that limited my ability to even shake hands. Now, with healing underway, my shoulder is becoming freer, a symbol of physical and spiritual renewal.
Before departing, we reflected on next steps. The response was unanimous: a desire to continue this kind of transformative gathering in the future. As we celebrate freedom this month, may we look beyond its political definitions and seek freedom that heals, uplifts, and connects us more deeply to one another. Let us practice forgiveness, pursue understanding, and embrace the peace that comes with true spiritual healing.
God bless,
Pastor Bob Boyar