Dear Church:
These past several weeks have been a time of anger, frustration, despair, and fear. And yet, even in the midst of all the injustice and atrocities, both past and present, I sense that there is hope. There is the hope, and faith, that the Spirit is creating something new out of all that our city and nation have already experienced. Individuals from all walks of life, from all backgrounds and races, and from all ages, are beginning to become more aware, and more present, to what is taking place in the lives of our African American brothers and sisters in Christ. Given all of this: What can we do?
Here are just a few suggestions:
- When stories become personal, people become more than statistics. A local and national approach to challenging racism will require each of us to be open, non-judgmental, non-threatening, and non-reactive when listening to the stories of others. One way to listen, if one-on-one conversations aren’t a possibility, is to subscribe to podcasts. Online podcasts that do an exceptional job on addressing issues of race, include: Code Switch, Still Processing, The Daily, 1619, and Pod Save the People.
- The elders of our church are reading, for the month of June, the book “White Fragility.” Following our next meeting in July, we plan to engage the church as a whole for wider conversation and dialogue. Click here for additional reading recommendations.
- Please see this letter from the General Minister and President of our denomination (The Reverend Terry Owens), along with our Minister of Reconciliation (The Reverend April Johnson). These two leaders of our faith name specific steps that we can each take, individually and collectively, to move forth with action.
- Even when we do not have the words, remember that the Spirit can intercede. We pray for our neighbors, our city, our nation, and our world. We pray boldly, yet humbly, that the Spirit of the Living God can make all things new and that from our hurts and harm we can create a vision of heaven on earth—the kingdom of God.
As followers of Jesus, and Disciples of Christ, we remember, celebrate and proclaim the mission statement of our church: God is calling us to transform personally, build Community and advocate for human rights
A mission statement like this is not easy, but that’s the point. Only with God’s grace, guidance and help can we celebrate, and make known, that all things are possible.
I’m thankful to be with you on this journey,
Jacob