Looking for community? This North Kansas City congregation helps everyone connect | Opinion
Let’s connect
It’s no surprise that many people are struggling to find community within the metropolitan area right now. The pandemic forced us all to shelter in place and take care of our own. Although this was out of necessity to prevent illness and preserve public health, many of us haven’t really gotten back to finding community.
This past weekend at brewCHURCH in North Kansas City, I heard a message about finding your community and meeting people you can rely on. A brewCHURCH gathering isn’t about preaching the Bible or about any religion in particular, but it is about building relationships with others in a time when we are truly lacking connection.
Whether you are atheist, deconstructing, agnostic or anywhere else on the faith spectrum, if you are looking for community or a place to connect, come check it out. We meet at 5 p.m. Sundays at The Rino on Armour Road. All ages are represented here, from people in their mid-20s on up.
The more we sit and commune with one another, the more we realize how much we are alike — and the less divisive we become as a city, country and world.
- Tammy Luke, Kansas City
A good dog
Thank you for the most pleasant, happy news I’ve read in the past six years during our country’s epic turmoil and divisiveness: “Dog retrieves 155 discs from woods; now, they’ll raise money for park” (July 14, 8A)
What a marvelous story. No one could disagree that it was worth telling. It brought such smiles to my 87-years-young face.
More happy news, please.
-Susanne C. Shutz, Prairie Village
They won’t stop
I predict that the Kansas Highway Patrol will continue using the “Kansas two-step” despite any judges’ decisions and that tow companies will continue illegal towing despite The Star’s reporting. “ (July 24, 1A, “Judge: KHP’s ‘two step’ rule violates drivers’ rights”; July 20, 10A, “Is this Independence tow company taking cars illegally in Kansas City’s River Market? Yes, I’d say”)
- William King, Spring Hill, Kansas
Texas cruelty
I had to replay the TV news report to make sure I heard it right: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law eliminating water breaks for construction workers mandated by cities such as Austin and Dallas. (July 5, 11A, “People are moving to Texas, but not for reasons Abbott claims”)
How can anyone be so cruel and indifferent? In Texas’ current extreme heat, water is essential. A person can quickly die of heat stroke without adequate water, and Abbott does not care.
Where is his humanity?
- Judy Beyer, Lee’s Summit
Teachings ignored
We have become a party of hate. Filled with selfishness, greed, lies, arrogance, racism, denial of others, love of money and control, we have become the opposite of the values of Christ. We listen not to the Holy Spirit but to our own understanding. Our churches are self-centered.
Even though Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, we are more concerned about beer cans and country songs.
We are blind to the will of God. Sound familiar?
- Thomas Krause, Kansas City
Natural solution
The author of a July 19 letter (10A) bemoaned the lack of maintenance of the plants along roadways in our metropolitan area. For a simpler and more economical solution, we should mow only the swatches closest to the highways, leaving the cattails down the middle for water conservation, along with the natural hardy ground covers and wildflowers for all to enjoy.
For a good example of this, check our neighbors in Overland Park. Save the mowers’ fuel money, and make the birds and butterflies happy.
- Patricia Mayer, Lee’s Summit
