And if I can be honest, this is the hardest of the three for me, and I am sure for you as well! As much as I have appreciated the freedom this church gives me, to preach, to speak and to show up in marches and protests, without much fear, there is still a level of safety and security where I show up and in what I say. But, I admit that I have been ‘dormant’ lately because, in some ways, I have given into the fear of the moment we currently live in. But, this week, as I prepare a message to ‘lead courageously’ and learn of all recent developments and announcements of the current administration’s plans for Chicago, I am once again convicted! I have attended a meeting in person and participated in two by zoom in the last 24 hours.
One of the messages I have heard loud and clear during these meetings is that we NEED to be prepared to respond, and that it will not be a one and done kind of effort- that this will be a long process and it may be years before we will be able to turn around the damage that is being caused! And friends- if we think we are safe and protected from the recent actions- I am reminded that if we are not- cis-gendered, heteronormative, born citizens of this country, if we are immigrants, people of color, gender-expansive, women, unhoused, then we are at risk. So I want to share a few things with you and invite us all to work together to keep us, our neighbors and our communities safe:
- BE VIGILANT- be aware of the surroundings and people around you.
- KNOW YOUR RIGHTS- yes, we need to know what we, as members of community can do when we see something happening in our community and to our neighbors (I have posted several flyers around the building-so we can learn what we can do in those situations.)
- DOCUMENT anything that you witness and send to chicagoSINice@PROTON.ME
- SHARE information, but not before verifying, and to the appropriate people. Posting on social media creates unnecessary panic and more fear.
- CALL 855-435-7693 (Family Support Hotline) to report ICE activity or to know about family members.
Remember, there is power in people! When people UNITE, we cannot be defeated! I trust, together, we will protect our neighborhood and our community. Let us stay strong and remember the words of Joshua, “Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” (Joshua 1:9)
Beloveds, you will not hear from me until December, when I return from my spiritual renewal leave, and I am grateful for your support in allowing me this time to rest and reset, and I pray that you will support all the lay leaders and preachers who have stepped up and taken responsibility to lead, preach and manage. I have full confidence that you will also be willing to step up and fill in wherever and whenever needed, because, church is not the building, it is not even the pastor, but the people that are a part of it! So, be the church beloveds, love our neighbors BOLDLY, serve the community JOYFULLY and lead COURAGEOUSLY! After all- that is the UNITED METHODIST WAY!
