Kalispell City Council May 6_ 2024 Public Comment Submission from Jared Stine[NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.]
Hello,
Listed below and attached is my public comment for the Kalispell City Council Meeting. Thank you.
Dear Kalispell City Council and members of our community,
My name is Rev. Jared Stine, and I am the pastor of Columbia Falls United Methodist Church. I am a resident of the city of Kalispell. I am the descendant of German immigrants.
My congregation and I are strong supporters of the work of Valley Neighbors in our community.
We support Valley neighbors because we trust their efforts to support refugees and migrants. We believe their work is always in the best interest of those they care for and
our greater community and country. As a person of Christian faith, I take to heart the ancient words of Scripture that call me to support and care for immigrants in our community. Deuteronomy
10:19 implores God’s people to “love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” In Zechariah 7: 9-10, the prophet speaks for God when saying, “Render true judgments,
show kindness and mercy to one another; 10 do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.” And in Matthew’s
Gospel, Jesus speaks to his followers, saying, “I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Truly I say to you, as
you did it to one of the least of my brethren you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 35 & 40).
Ms. Miller, Mr. Skinner, and the other board members of Valley Neighbors and their many volunteers are welcoming, supporting, and caring for some of the most vulnerable people
in our world. Valley Neighbors is helping migrants rebuild their lives, find healing, and contribute to society.
I am appalled at the elected officials of our community and the many people who claim Christian faith who used an isolated and unfortunate incident of a migrant family coming
to the Flathead Valley to demonize human beings and tarnish the reputation of a needed community organization that is above reproach. My congregation has hosted Ms. Miller and
Mr. Skinner, and we have donated goods and thousands of dollars to support their work. We will continue to do so, and we will speak up when we witness leaders abuse their roles to cause
harm to our neighbors. May we remember that many of us come from family who immigrated during their lives. No one is illegal. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Rev. Jared Stine
122 Lazy Creek Way
Kalispell, MT 59901
Blessings,
Jared
Pastor
Columbia Falls UMC
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Office: 406.892.5811
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*Please note that I am not appointed as a full-time clergyperson at CFUMC. I typically take Friday & Saturday for rest and family needs. Please text or leave a message on my cell phone
if you need to reach me immediately.