Black Lives Matter
June 23, 2020
Black Lives Matter
The Social Justice team works to keep the congregation informed and aware of issues of injustice and oppression in our community and the world. The team members work alongside other organizations such as Metropolitan Congregations United to bring about reform in systems and policies regarding schools, policing, and the juvenile justice system. These are not easy things to talk about, but these issues go to the very heart of what it means to be a Christian and a Methodist. The most visible work of the team in recent years has been our collaboration with the Reconciling Ministries Network to place our church in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.
These past few weeks have been full of hard conversations and honest reflection as our church continues to wrestle with the painful legacy of racism that has shaped our church history and our neighborhoods. As our social justice team continues to push us towards true justice and repentance, Judy Clifford (Chair) has asked team members to share their thoughts and feelings in this time of vigils and protests. While these words are only the beginning of more conversations that need to happen, they invite the rest of our church to engage in the work of self-reflection. How are we confronting our own biases, allowing the voices of our black sisters and brothers to rise up in this time, and bring truth and respect to those who have long been denied their rights?
This is not the answers; simply the beginning of hard conversations that must continue within our church and our community. As you prepare to read these words, I invite you to begin with this prayer from the Social Justice Resource Center
Lord, Jesus Christ
who reached across the ethnic boundaries
between Samaritan, Roman and Jew
who offered fresh sight to the blind and freedom to captives,
help us to break down the barriers in our community,
enable us to see the reality of racism and bigotry,
nd free us to challenge and uproot it
from ourselves, our society and our world.
From Jamie Myers
"Mama...!"
Mama...the word echoes in my heart and in my mind. Mama...help me, Mama. The horror of it. The shame of it. Imagine if you will the circumstance, the panic, the terror that causes a grown person to cry out of their Mother. It is primal and without reason. Mama, help me. I need you to breathe. I need you to live. There are forces at work on me that are beyond my control, beyond my comprehension. Mama, help me, help me survive.
I wish I could put into words all that my heart and soul understands when I hear that utterance..."Mama!"
I read once that the Blessed Mother answers all prayers, that one need only petition our Scared Mother Mary and she will come--unfailingly, she will come. So, I have some slight relief in knowing Mr. Floyd's cry did not and indeed could not, go unheeded. It seems our Blessed
Mother is answering loudly and clearly in every heart that is touched to respond; in every fist raised; in every step of the protester's march; in every embarrassed, bewildered question of "How can I help," or "Please tell me what it is like for you?"
Every Mother has a Sacred duty to ANSWER in whatever way she can. Maybe your answer is anger in the streets. Maybe your answer is a peaceful protest. Maybe your answer is to raise your awareness with your own children or those of others. Be aware of the positive impact of dolls bought in all hues. Be aware of the "otherness" that is dispelled when you are intentional in choosing books, television, and movies to show to your children. We can't begin to understand what we aren't even aware that we AREN'T seeing.
Mama...you may not be able to change a president, you may not be able change a police system, but Mama you CAN change your child. The world is crying out for Mama. The world is crying out for healing. Let us then remember our Scared Mother's promise to always respond.
From Aya Kawasaki
During a parent support group in which I participated, we did a role play of a parent and a child. The “child” (the person who was acting as a child) wanted her “parent” (the person who was acting as a parent) to see a butterfly. When the parent dismissed the request, the “child’ felt frustrated and acted out. The child thought she was not important.
We all have needs such as safety, healthcare, educational/economic opportunities, and being treated with respect and fairness. We also want others to have those needs met as we believe we are all God’s children. It is devastating that our government tries to control people in an authoritarian way without even recognizing their needs and hurts.
I admit that I have been silent and inactive as a social justice team member this year. I have been somewhat detached with the community and the world during this socially isolating time. Social justice is frustrating because we feel like we cannot make as much progress as we want to. But I would say it gets worse if we totally give up. I appreciate that Pastor Katie encouraged us to unite with other churches to respond to injustice. I know it is overwhelming for many of us, but we can work out some plans together and make a step forward toward social justice.
From April Walgren
Last week’s vigils at the corners of Skinker and Waterman were significant for me. It showed that everyone can do something that matters. Witness the honking and waving from the cars!
What does it look like when everyone in America takes part? When we see each other as unique individuals with a common humanity?
A couple of days ago I heard a radio program that ended with the question: What if we treated systemic racism like we’ve been treating the coronavirus?
I took a few minutes to think about all the public health modifications that were made in a very short time: the shutdowns and re-openings that were coordinated, the rescheduling and revamping of elections, the new ways of teaching, worshipping, shopping, etc. Some of these efforts seemed a bit severe at first but all were urgently needed.
Imagine focusing the same concerted effort on change for the better. Imagine our elected officials and police departments taking bold actions to reform police practices.
Then imagine what you as a member of the Grace community might do to bring about such change.
From Carole Boller
It is so hard to take in all we have been forced to think about in these past 2 weeks about our white privilege when it comes to law enforcement, education, healthcare, nutrition, housing, employment and just recognition of the full humanity of all people. What the daily stress must be on all those whose full humanity is not always recognized - I don’t think we can comprehend. We may think that we are without bias – but we cannot be. I’ve been listening to the protesters describe how it feels to be out on the street as a person of color – and not just for black men. Decades ago there was a lot of talk about consciousness raising. There needs to be a lot of consciousness raising. Until every person feels they have a stake in our society, what is the value of our society to that person.
People I know have said to me – they have had 150 years – completely ignoring what has gone on in those 150 years – Jim Crow laws, the Delmar divide, segregation which has been dismantled in name only in some cases
We are grateful for the education our children have received. Just think of the schools that are funded by property taxes in areas where the property has so little value, that the taxes cannot appropriately fund the schools to the level that we are accustomed to. We are grateful for our fully stocked grocery stores, but we need to think of those living in food deserts, who might have to take two buses to get to a store where they can buy fresh produce like we are used to.
The church has been very active in social justice issues – Reconciling Ministries, our Food Pantry, and other outreach. Our church is full of very kind people, but, is it time for us to be more assertive in speaking out on these other social justice issues. I know that we, as a church, want to shy away from political issues, but can we find a way to address these social justice issues in a non-political way. Maybe we need to encourage more involvement in MCU. Maybe we need to be protesting about all these other issues. Talking about it just within the walls of Grace UMC, is sort of like preaching to the choir.
From Hope Conyers
Our community is in a time of pain and frustration. With the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, we realize that now is the time for a call to action and more importantly, education on our privilege, as we navigate the hurt that the black community is going through. We, as a church, realize that Jesus himself was a man of color killed by enforcers of law and also spoke against injustice. As we learn more about these issues and continue to realize our privilege as a predominantly white church, we know that there is work to be done on our part. We leave this statement as an opening to the tough dialogue that the Black community has been having for generations as they see their brothers and sisters be senselessly murdered time after time after time. We stand with the Black men who are scared to go on a jog in their own neighborhood. We stand with the Black women who have been murdered in their own home. We stand with our trans and LGBTQ+ family who are murdered for living their true selves. We are here for you. We stand with you. We will educate ourselves without waiting for an explanation.
Sponsored by Breitmayer Ministries of Grace UMC-STL Thanks to the generosity of the Breitmayer Committee and in partnership with the ministries of Asbury, Samaritan and University UMC, we are proud to announce the launch of Loop Learning—Free Virtual Tutoring. We are currently recruiting volunteer tutors with a desire to academically support students and families in St. Louis-area schools. Please contact Jen Huelsmann, Director, for more information: Email j.hueslsmann@graceumc-stl.org or call/text (618) 570-2822
May 1, 2020 There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:5-6 It takes many gifts and many hands to turn an idea into reality. Our church is grateful for the time, effort, and love that each of the following companies and church members provided to create the new Grace UMC website. From providing content, photography, and editing, to sitting through many creative meetings, our church has been blessed by the hard work of many. In addition, I want to personally thank all of those within our church family who participated in photo shoots, provided testimonials, and supported this project. This is just the beginning. Let us take the beautiful work that has been done and use it to bring the good news of God’s love to our family, friends, and neighborhood. Ollie Dowell Communications, LLC Cathi Nolde, Grace Secretary Alva Nelms, Alva Arts Rev. Gail Robins, Grace Organist Photographer George Wise Anna Milburn, Scholar Intern Proofit, LLC God Bless, Rev. Dr. Katie Nix
