Thank God love wins, because we keep messing it up

By Rev. Catherine Lyle
Reader Contributor

Jesus was clear and persistent in his call to love everyone; yet, throughout history, Christians have repeatedly failed to live out the servant-hearted discipleship he taught, leaving wounds that continue to affect our families, communities and culture. 

The United Methodist Church is not exempt. Recently, the Reader unearthed an Oct. 17, 1922, newspaper article reporting that the Ku Klux Klan met at the Sandpoint Methodist Church. As someone who grew up in a multiracial family, I felt my heart sink. I thought especially of the multiracial families who are part of our Thursday Messy Church and Twinlow Camp communities today.

Throughout my ministry, I have intentionally shared stories of saints whose lives and faith are often missing from traditional history books. From Maggie Lena Walker, the first African-American woman (and any woman) to establish a bank in the U.S., to Silvia Hector Webber (an enslaved woman married to a white man), who helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Mexico (a country that outlawed slavery before the U.S.). 

My hope is that they inspire us to know our neighbors; listen to their stories; and build a more inclusive, flourishing North Idaho — one that perhaps reflects the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

In 2025, Idaho prohibited a banner proclaiming “Everyone Is Welcome,” illustrated with children’s hands of different skin tones and red hearts. On the Fourth of July, I proudly walked in Sandpoint’s parade with Indivisible and my youngest son, publicly sharing that Biblical message of welcome with our community. These experiences remind me that racism and exclusion remain a lived experience in Idaho, including within churches and the government. Yet hate will not have the final word. Love wins. God is love, and our work is not finished (1 John 4:16).

I will continue using my voice, my pulpit and opportunities to gather people in unexpected places to share the good news: Every person is created and cherished by a creative God. You are loved by a God who could not make you into anything less than all that you are from the color of your skin, to the ancestors who prayed for you, to the people who you love today, for the people you love and will love, and the many expressive ways Spirit flows within and around you. 

Keep showing up. Be part of this community — not because we are flawless, but because we are trying and we will never be complete without you. 

And if there is ever a note of hope to be felt today, maybe it is the simple reality that if an old church can be brave, admit they were wrong and change over generations into an inclusive church where they publicly sponsor Sandpoint Pride, volunteer at local nonprofits and partner with human rights groups, then it can happen anywhere and in anytime. 

Our country can and will do better because love wins. 

Also good news: That old church building was torn down years ago. The present-day building in which we Methodist in Sandpoint worship and serve folks may be a smaller church in our area, but we are not a church of hate. All means all. We are working to be as consistent as Jesus — that all our neighbors, including our enemies, are beloved children of God and the peacemakers will inherit heaven, not the hateful.

Rev. Catherine Lyle is a pastor at Sandpoint United Methodist Church.