Dear Caldwell,
This past Monday, John, Justin, and Anne joined more than one hundred other clergy people in Charlotte to participate in a “clergy die in.” The members of the Charlotte clergy community who are white laid down in front of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center while clergy members of color remained on their feet. Rev. Flo Barbee-Watkins spoke and prayed, invoking the names of some of those who have lost their lives because of this nation’s sin of racism. She asked God to “help us in the dismantling of systemic racism, classism and gender bias, that creates corruption is city government, legislation and policies.” We certainly need God’s help to do this work.
May God lead and empower each of us to find our lane – in protesting, in marching, in educating ourselves, in speaking up when untrue and unjust things are uttered in our presence, in prayer, in financial support, in using our skills for the healing of our entire community, and in checking in with one another, just to name a few possible lanes – and stay the course for the long haul.
Friends, remember that we are not alone. We have wisdom and strength that has been passed down to us from our ancestors. We offer our presence, comfort, wisdom, and strength to one another in the present. And we must keep the hope of future generations always before us as we do this work.
Psalm 46:1 and 2 say this: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.
Between the work of fighting for justice and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it feels like the earth is indeed changing and the mountains are shaking these days. I am not ashamed to admit that sometimes I do fear, and I desperately need God to be my refuge, my strength, and my very present help in the trouble we are facing these days. The truth of Psalm 46 is buoying me today. I invite you to hold on to God’s unchanging, ever present hand today and always.
Peace, Gail
