Dear Families and Friends of Peace,
On Tuesday night, the Jefferson Jaguars faced off against the Kennedy Eagles in a boys hockey game at Bloomington Ice Garden. Like most games, there were parents chatting, Mites and Squirts giddily sporting their own jerseys, and a raucous group of students supporting their team. But for this game, while the score was still important to players and spectators, there was also a bigger purpose—Hockey Fights Cancer.
Held annually for three years now, both organizations and communities join together in this event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. There was a raffle, an open donation, and the crowd favorite, “Chuck a Puck”—where people could purchase and throw hockey pucks onto the ice, and whoever got theirs closest to the dot on center ice won $100. It was very entertaining!
In addition, there was also a time when the crowd was asked to stand if they have been personally affected by cancer—either battling it themselves, or knowing a friend or family member who had battled it. To say the least, there were a lot of people standing. And if we were to do the same exercise here at Peace, every one of you reading this, and everyone in the congregation, would have been standing as well (whether you realize it or not, you would be…).
There can be a lot of toxicity in the world and culture of youth sports, but it was refreshing and encouraging to see fans of opposing teams unite together under a common purpose.
It was an uplifting reminder of the hope we have in Christ—that as children of God, we are all loved unconditionally by God, and we are all united in our purpose and call to share the love with one another. And that while the world can seem overwhelmingly negative at times, there is reassurance around us—and God’s promises to us—that love always wins.
Grace and Peace,
Joe