April Message from Conference Minister Lorraine Ceniceros
As I write this in the shadow of Easter's promise, recent news causes me to feel both the joy of resurrection and the profound sorrow of loss. This week, as information came forward, we learned of the untimely passing of a young indigenous soul, Cole Brings Plenty. Cole was last seen on Easter Sunday in Lawrence. His body was found in a wooded area in Johnson County, Kansas, five days after he was reported missing. The Brings Plenty family lost their daughter, Cole’s sister, Kyla (Jo) Mercy Red Bear when she was found deceased in August of 2023. Both deaths were sudden, both deaths left too many unanswered questions. No matter the cause of these deaths, the names of the two are now included in the long list of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), men, women, and children who are too quickly forgotten.
Cole, Kayla Jo, and Nex Benedict were young people who lived outside the norm of the dominant society. Cole and Kayla Jo because they were indigenous, and Nex, who identified as trans was also indigenous. The pressures of living outside the norm simply because of who you are, have proven to be dangerous, and often fatal, for our young adults. Their absence leaves an ache in the hearts of all who knew them and a longing for light that once brightened the lives of their loved ones.
Cole, Kyla Jo, and Nex’s deaths are more than names on a page; they serve as embodiments of resilience, strength, and cultural richness. Their spirits, like the blossoming flowers of spring, brought beauty and grace to our world. Though they have left us far too soon, their legacy of love and light will forever remain etched in our memories.
As Christians, we are called to be a witness to the pain and suffering in our midst and serve as the light of hope in the darkness. In the wake of tragedy, it is our sacred duty to extend our hands in compassion to those who are grieving, to offer solace to those who are hurting, and to be vessels of Christ's love to all who are in despair. Let us work to break down the barriers of intolerance and prejudice that bring pain to so many of our siblings in Christ.
In the midst of our grief, Easter's message of hope reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is the promise of resurrection, renewal, and restoration. As we journey through this season of remembrance and reflection, may the promise of Easter infuse our spirits with courage, comfort, and unwavering faith in the triumph of love over loss.
In the face of tragedy, let us not turn away in despair. Rather, let us lean on one another with open hearts and outstretched hands. Together, as a community bound by compassion and empathy, let us walk alongside those who are suffering, offering our presence, our prayers, and our unwavering commitment to be agents of healing and hope in a broken world.
As we mourn the loss of Cole, Kyla Jo, and Nex, may their memory serve as a catalyst for change. Let us commit to building a world where every life has value, every soul is nurtured, and every voice is heard. Let us be bearers of light in the darkness, agents of hope in times of despair, and instruments of God's peace in a world in need of healing.
In our sorrow, may we find solace in the knowledge that we are not alone. Together, as a community bound by faith, hope, and love, let us rise above despair and embrace the promise of resurrection and renewal. May the memory of Cole, Kyla Jo, Nex, and all the young people who have left us through death, inspire us to live lives of compassion, kindness, and grace.
With the abiding hope of Christ as we walk this journey of faith together,
Lorraine