Dear Church Family,

By now most of you have seen the completion of our preschool wing remodel if not in person, on social media. It has been two years in the making, and I could not begin to thank all of those who had a part—from planners to prayer warriors. I’m confident your generosity will continue to get it paid in full in God’s time and in God’s way.

Also, I wanted to share repeated reminder in this election season to pray, vote, and speak the truth in love. We celebrate the 250th birthday of our country’s independence and never want to take our freedom for granted. We praise the Lord we are free to worship him.

Finally, I wanted to share this story about mercy—

There’s a door in England. It’s been there for nine hundred years. And on that door is a knocker.

If you grabbed it, the law couldn’t touch you.

Durham Cathedral. Built in 1093. From the moment it was finished, a rule was carved into its stone.

Anyone who reached that knocker was protected. Thirty-seven days. No one could arrest you. No one could harm you.

Two monks sat in a room above the door. Day and night. Every hour. Listening for a knock.

Because when it came, they had to open the door.

They gave you a black gown. A yellow cross on the chest. A bed. Food. And for thirty-seven days, safety.

After that, you had a choice. Face trial. Or leave England forever.

They called it abjuring the realm. Walk to the coast carrying a cross. Never leave the road. Board a ship. Never come back.

Over three hundred people claimed sanctuary. Murderers. Thieves. Debtors. All given the same protection.

The right of sanctuary ended in 1623.

But the knocker never came down.

It’s still on the door at Durham Cathedral. Nine hundred years old. Still holding the ring that saved three hundred lives.

England built mercy into its architecture. Into the stone. Into the door. Into a ring that anyone could grab.

Aren’t you glad Jesus made a way for us to grab on to him and receive mercy?

Press on!

Mark