Remarks to the Cary Town Council from Rev. Melinda Merkley King, transitional pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
Hello Cary Town Council and fellow members of the Cary Community. I am Melinda Merkley King, and I currently serve as transitional pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Cary. Our congregation would certainly supply willing workers for this project should it be approved.
I surely know that many faith traditions and ethical morality in general recognize the Golden Rule… the idea that we are to treat others as we wish to be treated. But I speak this evening from the Judeo-Christian perspective. I seek to be informed and shaped by the scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament, and I know many of you do too. They are clear. We must provide help, hope, and wholeness to those who find themselves in helpless, hopeless situations.
In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 we hear, “Now if there are some poor persons among you, don’t be hard-hearted or tightfisted... To the contrary! Open your hand wide to them. You must generously lend them whatever they need.
In Luke 4: 17-21 as Jesus began his public ministry, Jesus indicated that he came to “bring good news to the poor” and “set free those who are oppressed”
Later, when Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” Then Jesus was asked “Who is my neighbor?” and in response he told a story… the story of the good Samaritan. Jesus’ answer showed that our neighbors are not simply the people who live in our neighborhoods. From his answer we know that to be a good neighbor is to be compassionate and caring, kind and generous, concerned for the welfare of another, particularly another who is in need.
According to Matthew 25:40, Jesus said that what you have done for the least of those in our society, you have done for me.
In the book of James, we read in chapter 2 “What good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. 16 What if one of you said, ‘Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!?’ What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? 17 In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.”
In 1 John we read “If someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help—how can the love of God dwell in a person like that? Let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth.”
I wholeheartedly support the work of Habitat for Humanity, a faith-based organization that does indeed put the love of God into action… building homes.
We have the opportunity to do something wonderful with the generous gift of land to Habitat for affordable housing. Please do the “good and faithful thing”. Thank you.