Dear Caldwell,
In 1963, amidst the Birmingham campaign for civil rights, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote one of his most popular books, titled Strength to Love.
We borrow from that title this week as we look ahead with all of you to this weekend. We look to the Holy Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday for the strength to mourn. We join with others across our nation to grieve the 100,000-person toll of COVID-19 AND as our hearts and souls shudder over the ongoing toll of black and brown bodies this nation casts aside. We mourn privately and publicly. We cry out to our Lord on behalf of a dis-eased nation, made ill with a run-away virus and unbridled white supremacy.
In worship Sunday, we will celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit as both an empowering day and a day to raise our voices in mourning. We also join in a call for a national day of prayer to be held on Monday. Locally, you can participate in a city-wide Zoom gathering to mourn those lost to COVID Monday at noon. Viewers are invited to write the name of a COVID victim in large block letters on a card and show that to the camera in the service when invited.
Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84548599062
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MeckMin/
Information on the event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/540577853249129/
As for ways to bear witness to George Floyd and the dignity of all Black lives, we know and respect that our governor advises that we are “safer at home.” For those who feel compelled to – SAFELY – gather with others, we are aware of these public opportunities to stand up.
- Sunday, many in the Christian faith community will gather at 1 pm at First Ward Park. QC Family Tree Co-leader and pastor Rev. Greg Jarrell is among the speakers. A group of evangelical churches is organizing this, calling it a “protest against Christian inaction, silence, and complacency regarding racial injustices.”
- Tuesday, June 2, 12-3, the NAACP-Charlotte chapter will hold a peaceful protest against police brutality and for justice for George Floyd at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. 4th Street.
We are aware of other potential gatherings and protests but do not have enough details to share. Earlier this week, John co-authored a call to action to all leaders in the 96-church Charlotte Presbytery. You can read it here.
We know how these rainy and oppressive days weigh on your hearts and souls – because we feel the same way. May God’s love and strength bind you up and may the Lord be with you there.
Gail and John