Clergy rally at ‘Love Your Neighbor Gathering’
Diamond Park became the setting for multiple churches Sunday afternoon, Feb. 19, where clergy of multiple denominations gathered to deliver something of a sermon.
While they came from many different backgrounds, their message was one everyone gathered there could agree on: the importance of loving your neighbor.
David Hicks, rector of St. Peter’s Anglican Church on East Jefferson Street, said he and the Butler Clergy Network, which consists of clergy from numerous parishes around the county, wanted to promote this message after concerns in December of growing division in the community.
“The idea that we came up with was that it might be nice to gather and talk about it,” Hicks said of promoting a message of love. “Even if we don’t agree with our neighbor or if we don’t particularly like our neighbor, we can still be kind to them.”
The Love Your Neighbor Gathering began at 2 p.m. and featured speeches from clergy of different parishes and other organization officials, poem readings and the singing of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.
Kimberly van Driel, pastor of First English Lutheran Church on Main Street and chairwoman of the Butler Clergy Network, said the event was planned in December. However, a billboard on Route 422 put up in early January displaying messages including “FBI corrupt & dangerous THE GESTAPO” with a large swastika which was later removed, was a topic discussed by the Clergy Network and its anti-racism breakout group.
According to van Driel, members of the clergy network still are shaping its mission after two years of meetings, but everyone agrees that human dignity should be upheld.
“We were thinking how can we begin to raise awareness and model a different path,” van Driel said. “We are deeply committed to a peaceful community. We are committed to human dignity no matter what, and building bridges with each other.”
Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, said at the gathering that 10 minutes after hearing about the billboard on Route 422, he had 24 advertisements placed on billboards for the bureau promoting a welcoming message.
Being Jewish, Cohen said it was important for him to spread an accepting message for Butler County.
“We’ll continue to fight that horrific speech; we will continue to push that forward, and every one of you is always welcome in this great community,” Cohen said.
Michal Gray-Schaffer, of the Congregation B'nai Abraham on Main Street, said the Jewish community has been a constant target, and she would like to see people take action against antisemitic speech. She said people can tell others when they are using antisemitic speech.
“Antisemitism is real; it is local, national and global, and it is increasing,” Gray-Schaffer said. “Call someone out when you hear it — I know it’s the hardest thing to do — but we have to start small, and we have to start somewhere.”
The Butler Clergy Network also took orders for signs that say “We love all of our neighbors.”
Its members also provided information sheets with resources for people to connect with organizations that offer volunteer opportunities and concrete “ways to help love thy neighbor.” The list included organizations like the Glade Run Lutheran Services warming center, the Grapevine Center, the ARC of Butler County and local Rotary clubs.
“You need to leave people with something they could do,” Hicks said.
Lori Dellen, of Butler, made her own signs for the gathering promoting love for her neighbors. She said she wanted to attend the gathering to show her support for that message.
“It’s just to rally behind our neighbors who may be being made to feel less than,” Dellen said.
Donna Baughman, of Butler, also held one of Dellen’s signs, and said she hopes that the message of acceptance will resonate through the community.
“We believe wholeheartedly that .. everyone is our neighbor, we should love everyone,” Baughman said. “Hate is definitely taught; we’re not born that way.”
