After months of physical distancing and extreme surface-cleansing, it's no wonder we'd like to go back to the way things were. Some of us have jumped in with both feet upon cancelled executive orders that are "reopening the economy." Snapshots of people in restaurants, at rallies, and in grocery stores could almost make you think we're done with the Coronavirus. Cue our collective sigh of relief. Finally. As a pastor, I'm watching a range of conversations about when and how we return to our church buildings. I hear the cries of church folk who long to be back in worship, "back to normal," … [Read more...] about The Lure of “Back to Normal”
racism
My (Tentative) Turn
After two weeks of really trying to listen to the voices of persons who are black, indigenous and people of color, as I outlined in my first and second posts on this subject, I'm going to step out with some trepidation to share a few of my own thoughts and experiences. Not because it's time to stop listening; it most assuredly is not that. But because at some point we are called to use our voices, and enter a conversation we're nervous about having. I have to start somewhere. Please don't hesitate to call me on anything I say here that feels misplaced, inappropriate, or otherwise … [Read more...] about My (Tentative) Turn
More Listening
Last week I tried to mute myself and I urged you to listen to some of the voices of black, indigenous and people of color. I was challenged to do this by a friend, because those voices have much more relevant things to say than I do about what's happening in this country right now. Part of the challenge I described last week included reflecting on what that experience was like, and I will do that, but it's late on Wednesday and I can't do justice to that question tonight. I want to encourage you to click back to last week's post and listen to some of those voices, or others that you are … [Read more...] about More Listening
#AmplifyMelanatedVoices Challenge
Yesterday a friend tagged me in a post that contained a call to action, amid the demonstrations that have erupted after George Floyd's murder. It's the #AmplifyMelanated Voices Challenge. And it's important. I'll admit, I had to look up "BIPOC." How about you? It means "black, indigenous, and people of color," as Mahreen Ansari explains in this post. I hadn't heard of this challenge, but I'm taking it. So I'm muting myself in this post, except to say I'm posting a few links in this post and will add to them through this week, and perhaps beyond. Next week, we'll talk some about all … [Read more...] about #AmplifyMelanatedVoices Challenge