Walk the Walk 2020

Day 1- Arriving at Charlottesville VA.  

Today, Jacki and I arrived in Charlottesville, VA. We drive to Culpeper leaving the car there, which will become apparent in the next few days and then took a train and arrived here at 1:34pm.  

Why are we here?  Well, I wish I could say it was a long story but for me this was a last minute decision. Jacki made her decision about a month back when she saw Walk the Walk 2020 on Shane Claiborne's Red Letter Christian Facebook Page.  This is a 140 mile walk from Charlottesville to Washington DC.  What was decision point for me?  Well, it was the idea that this is promoted as a pilgrimage which invites (present tense as you can join us for part of the journey for a day or more) people of faith, clergy and faith leaders to publicly demonstrate their commitment to 'wslk the walk' of race reckoning, resolve and love. 

To get a fuller idea of this pilgrimage please check out this website: 

            https://walkthewalk2020.us/

Today, our journey began at an African American Cemetery which was located in the middle of a parking lot at Jefferson's Monticello. 

We were met by Gayle and Calvin. Gayle shared how the place we were is considered sacred ground. 

She and Calvin have ancestors buried here.  She share how she also has ancestors buried at the top of the mountain for you see, Gayle ancestor is the greatgrandson of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Heming.  While we didn't get to the top of the mountain Gayle said that the contrast to those graves and these here before us ... Few of which had a stone for a marker.  Gayle works at Monticello and shared how the people who are buried in this cemetery there saw Monticello as home.  She was making a point of the common history not white history or black history it is our history part of which we are only now starting to tell more fully.  I was curious about her statement about her saying that the slaves saw Monticello as their home.  I asked how this view plays into idea that the slaves were happy to be there as they were taken care of.  Calvin shared that that is a movie image ... Not fact.  Infact earlier Gayle shared how her ancestors tried to escape ... Some were emancipated by Jefferson others tried to run were captured ran again and we're recaptured whipped and sent 'down south' and never to be seen or heard of again.  I am starting to see that this is going to be a deep pilgrimage. 

Tonight, we joined a group of more walkers.  We are part of a small group, called the seed group of about 50 folks. More to join us tomorrow. 

Tomorrow begins at 7am as we go to hear the story of a woman who for two years has sought sanctuary in UMC.  Then to Emancipation Plaza the place where a Unite the Right held a rally on August 12, 2017.  Many of us probably recollect this event held here in Charlottesville.  This rally was protesting the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee and was attended by unhooded Klan members and neo-Nazis.  It was at a counter protest that a Unite the Right participant drove a car and killed Heather Heyer.  Tonight Jacki and I had dinner in a place that locals call the mall. We saw this sign ...

i hadn't put two and two together... our starting point, Charlottesville,VA as the place close to the anniversary of Heather's death by vehicle homicide and our ending of this pilgrimage nine days from now being the newly named Black Lives Matters Plaza in Washington DC close to the Anniversary of Dr. MLK Jr's speech on the national Mall at the base of the Lincoln Memorial.

I hope that I can keep you posted in the journey as we go through this.  Pray that we can stay well and healthy during this walk. 

Reading opportunities:

We are encouraged to read the book 'White Too Long: The Legacy of White Suptemacy In American Christianity' by Robert P. Jones. https://www.amazon.com/White-Too-Long-Supremacy-Christianity/dp/1982122862

Jacki and I started to listened on the way down (it's on Audible) and are now two chapters into it.  It is eye opening.  Why not join us in reading it?  Read a chapter at a day ... 

Gayle also suggested reading, 'Those who Labored for my Happiness'

https://www.amazon.com/Those-Who-Labor-Happiness-Jeffersonian/dp/0813932238

seeking Common ground

I am reflecting upon why it is that what resonates with me is so discordant to another?  I despise cilantro, it tastes like the smell of stink bugs and yet so many folks love the stuff.  You're welcome to the stuff.  But this is not about cilantro.

Why is it that which makes my heart sing is a loud clangy gong to another?  I love to listening to WAMU, streaming tiny home van life shows, reading hard Sci Fi, 70's music and coffee (the blessed third sacrament). Others prefer Fox, detective vice show, the Times, rap, and Red Bull.  But this isn't about preferences. 

Why is it what I understand to be truth and which coincides with my faith so much so that it is deeply entrenched in my soul can be an anathema to another who believes in their own truth bolstered by a common faith and is equally entrenched in their soul?

Seeking the common ground ...

Seeking Streams and Second Opportunities in the Midst of A Pandemic

At Center & Main we're talking how our congregation has a great opportunity to redefine who we are and will become in light of the pandemic. Never before have we had to learn so much, adapt to so many variables and rely on one another while seperated from one another.  We're reminded that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philipians 4.13). Through the prophet Isaiah, God proclaims, "See I am doing a new thing,  do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43.19).  While hopeful that God is drawing us toward an interesting opportunity and that is both exciting and challenging.  We are coming to a realization that things will never be the same.  

There can be no going back to what once was and that reality brings on an insurmountable amount of grief and grief is express in a ton of different ways.  It is if we are standing over a grave and staring at our mortality, or the death of loved one and we want it all back.  We cry but we don't know why, we lash out and feel justified, we are trapped,  physically and emotionally,  in islands of isolation and we take on riskier behavior that will ultimately only prolong our suffering which will prolong our grief.

Breaking the cycle of suffering and grief requires an opportunity to face our grief, acknowledge that our exhibitions of sadness, anger, depression or anxiety are all expressions of our grief.  And to know that seasons of grief come to an end over time so we should acknowledge our feelings (not justify them) and be gentler toward us and not feel the need 'to get over this' as much as 'go through this' (subtile difference) so that we can arrive in the other side of this season.  You can't leap over grief you can only wade through it so when the wave of emotion comes acknowledge the reason ... It is grief ... And just as you would have great compassion toward someone grieving their loss ... You should have compassion toward yourself. Difficult days are slowly replaced with less difficult days and slowly we heal.  

So when someone is sad or lashing out or acting out and exhibiting risky behavior they are most likely grieving a reality they didn't desire and yet life has dealt them, and us, something they didn't desire. They are grieving.   Rarely do we chide or deride or tell them to get over themselves because they are grieving. To do so would be hurtful and lack compassion for their grief.  Give them a hope and a future that they can at least see a glimmer of hope.  

This extends to all levels of reality.  Read the headlines, or comments, or Instagram or Twitter feeds and you only have to see the grief and the less than effective way which people are expressing their grief ... Most of which is unhealthy.  Have compassion toward them.  Help them know they are loved. And in their suffering and grief God is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Help them see and perceive it ... 

Peace,

M

Where are the Champions among the scapegoaters?

Where are the Champions among the Scapegoaters?

In the Bible, the Jewish chief priest had symbolically laid the sins of the people upon it a goat which is then sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of a nation.   (Lev. 16).  The term scapegoat is now used to describe a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.  A scapegoater is one who blames others for the way things are.  

A Champion is one who takes responsibility for the actions of others and willingly puts their welfare at risk for the sake of others.  

In the Bible, the Philistines sent up their champion Goliath against the young shepherd David who had a sling, some rocks in a pouch and his God in his corner.   David proved to be the champion that day when he slew Goliath. (1 Samuel 17)

Champions come in all categories. You can champion for a cause meaning you act and speak for the benefit of others.  You're a champion if your vocation requires you to  don medical scrubs or a grocery clerk's apron, a police's uniform, a fireman's suit or a soldier's fatigues and yes even a clerical collar or robe. Champions are great and small, extraordinary and just-ordinary!  Champions are leaders who do not seek out the most expeditious path forward but whose actions become inspirational drawing out the best in themselves and others. 

There is a lot of scapegoating going about as folks attempt to get to who is to blame for the Covid19 pandemic.  Did it occur naturally or in a lab? Were precautions disseminated openly enough?  Where were the test swabs and why don't we have a vaccine?  For requiring us to stay isolated and not make an income.  For permitting people to open up their businesses or for  relaxing mandated isolation.

It's time to look for the champions among the legions of scapegoaters.  What is to blame?  A coronavirus that is designated as COVID-19.  It has no mind or malintent. It replicates efficiently in our bodies and is capable to overwhelm our body's defenses particularly among the most vulnerable and at risk persons.  In many ways it is the current champion of virus and we need our own champion to step up and take responsibility and willingly act without self interest.  

To champion or to scapegoat are choices we make by our actions and our words.  Let us not seek to lay blame on others for doing so abdicates our opportunity to be champions.

March 30 PM in the PM

March 30 PM in the PM

March 27 PM in the PM