Dear Friends,
People have asked me, “Why do you care so much about race and racism?” At different moments and in different settings, my responses would vary.
On the days when my Christian identity and faith are on full display, I would respond with ‘Jesus wants me to love my neighbor as myself’. I would then profess ‘everyone is my neighbor, particularly the most vulnerable of my fellows’.
History is instructive. Almost no one arrived in America like Africans. They came in chains, beginning in 1619. For the better part of 250 years, they were bought and sold like animals. They had names that were discounted and discarded. Whatever family arrived in tact was torn apart. Violence was a constant threat.
In 1865, slavery was abolished. Yet for another 100 years, life for African Americans was a heart-wrenching struggle chalked full of unjust and dehumanizing realities. The math is simple -- 350 years of individual and collective trauma.
Perhaps guilt is not the best emotional response. No one is immediately responsible for events that predate their birth. But as Christians, we are called to pour compassion on those who grieve. Furthermore, we carry the responsibility to work for healing in the lives of ALL who strive to be free of the persistent roots of trauma.
This Sunday, we will conclude our Courageous Conversation on race and racism. Our prayer is for its conclusion to be a beginning. Our prayer is for everyone to be asking ‘what now, what more’. As our faith tells us, we are called.
Rev. Carter Via
Meditation
“In the cherry blossom's shade
there's no such thing
as a stranger.”
― Kobayashi Issa
“Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen
Meditation
"Everything is a gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is a measure of our gratefulness, and gratefulness is a measure of our aliveness."
-David Steindl-Rast
"'Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility and understanding."
-Alice Walker
Meditation
"We rise by lifting others."
-- Robert Ingersoll
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation
of my heart be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
--Psalm 19:14
Gracious God,
Help us to become masters of ourselves so that we might be the servants of others.
Take our minds and think with them,
Take our lips and speak through them,
Take our hands and work with them,
And take our hearts and set them on fire with your Spirit.
--Rev. William Sloane Coffin
Week of November 10
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday, on All Saints Day, we lifted up some of the people in our lives who have been “saints” to us. Friends, grandparents, parents, teachers, and coaches were among those named who have pointed the way, mentored us, loved us unconditionally, shown up for us in ways large and small, taught us how to be better versions of ourselves, and set examples of what it looks like to live out God’s kingdom here on earth. Lifting up these people out loud in our worship service was a powerful and moving experience, and served as a reminder that we in turn are called to be “saints” in the lives of others whenever and wherever we can. We need to be reminded that even our smallest interactions can have a profound ability to shape and impact one another’s lives—we need not always make grand gestures, but small gestures with great love and compassion.
This Sunday one of my favorite “saints” of Talmadge Hill will be preaching—Eric Remole. Eric has an incredible story of transformation to share with the congregation. His journey has involved profound suffering of body and soul. But his journey has ultimately led Eric to come alive in the spirit in ways that have utterly shaped and transformed his relationship to God, to community, and to the world. Come hear Eric share his story, “A Leap Into Faith” this coming Sunday.
Yours,
Jennifer