Maplewood gathering reflects on separation of church and state
MAPLEWOOD, Mo. -- Neighbors gathered Sunday afternoon to reflect on a core part of America’s foundation, the separation of church and state with a picnic that blended history with today’s challenges.
St. Louis neighbors gathered not just for food and music, but to talk about protecting a constitutional principle. Hours later news of a church shooting in Michigan underscored why organizers say that work remains urgent.
Families gathered at Deer Creek Park on Sunday afternoon, for food, music, and a message, as the St. Louis chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State hosting its annual “Picnic with a Purpose.”
Cynthia Holmes is the President of the St. Louis chapter she said, “It’s a principal. It was established by Thomas Jefferson that we should have a wall between the church and state, and that protects the church AND the state.”
The highlight: a keynote from Rob Boston, who has spent decades fighting for religious liberty across the country, serving as the Senior Advisor for AUSCS.
He remarked about the attendees, “It’s folks like this, in their states, talking to their state legislatures, their county execs their town council their school board their library boards. They’re the ones really making a difference on the ground and that’s why an event like this where people can get together, talk about ideas, share strategies, is really important.”
But just as St. Louisans gathered to reflect on constitutional freedoms, news broke hundreds of miles away in Michigan. A shooting at a church service left worshippers shaken, a tragic reminder of how even sacred spaces face threats.
“It’s a sad thing that all of our institutions whether it’s a school, church, a football stadium a gathering like this has to be aware that there are people out there that unfortunately their frustration is to harm other people.” Commented Holmes.
For Holmes, Sunday’s picnic was about community, and protecting both the principles, and the people, these freedoms were designed to serve.
The St. Louis chapter says events like this keep the First Amendment alive in everyday life. And after today’s violence in Michigan, they say the fight to defend those freedoms feels even more urgent.
