The Mass Poor People’s Assembly and (Digital) Moral March on Washington is this Saturday. The event is part of an effort to build a fusion movement across race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender identity, and all other ways that make us diverse in order to address the “interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism” that plague our country and disproportionately affect people at the margins of society. Over the last several months and weeks, we have seen the unveiling of these injustices in ways we cannot ignore due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cases of police and white individuals brutally assaulting and killing people of color. Through the Supreme Court decisions this week we have also been reminded of the vulnerable position in which our transgender and DACA-protected siblings have been living daily. The Mass Poor People’s Assembly will raise the voices of the most affected by injustice as we hear their stories and call to action. You can learn more about the Poor People’s Campaign at poorpeoplescampaign.org and sign up for Saturday’s assembly at june2020.org. You can also watch the assembly on the Poor People’s Campaign’s Facebook page.
Listening to our siblings is but one important step we must take to faithfully respond to the realities around us. As a congregation that decided many years ago to seek and uphold peace and justice, be open & affirming, and offer radical hospitality, we must also take seriously our need for God’s transformative work within each one of us in order to be who we say we are. This summer in response to this need, we will begin small groups for learning and conversation on the history of racism in our country and what it means to be anti-racist and pro-reconciling people. We are currently developing a format for this conversation, and I pray you will participate. You may also wish to join in our denominational-wide conversation that will also take place this summer (information here).
Blessings,
