HandsUpSabbath:AToolkitRememberingFerguson OnAugust9,2014inFerguson,Missouriayoungblack mannamedmichaelbrownwasshotandkilledbya whitepoliceofficer.whiletragicandheartbreaking,thisincidentisnotunique.unfortunately,itseemstobea recurringissueinmanyofourcommunities.however,whathappenedintheensuingdaysissomethingthat seizedtheimaginationandattentionofacountryandperhapsaworld. IntheaftermathofMichaelBrown s shooting, youngpeopleandyoungadultsinfergusonandgreaterstlouis refusedtoreturntobusinessasusual.theyhavedemandedandaredemandingsystemicchangetothe conditions thatallowedthisdeathtooccur.theyhavebeenprotestingforjustice.andtheyhavecaughttheire oflocalpolicefromstlouiscountyandferguson.theyhavebeenharassed,intimidated, assaulted,abusedand teargassed.yet,theycontinuetomarchandprotest forjustice,formichaelbrown,foracommunity thatis fracturedbyraceandnotatallhowgodintendedittobe.theyaremarchingforallofusandforhowtheworld shouldbe. ThatistheinspirationfortheWeekendofResistanceOctober 10S13inwhichcongregationsacrossournation areencouragedtoparticipate inhands&up&sabbath.wewanttohonortheleadershipoftheyoungpeopleand youngadultswhohavebeenandaremakingtheirstandagainstoppressionandtyrannyinferguson.thistoolkit isacollection ofreflectionsandlitaniesfromdifferentfaithtraditionstohelpcongregationsparticipatein HandsUpSabbath.IthasbeendevelopedbytheFellowshipofReconciliation, PICO,Sojourners,theSamuel DeWittProctorConference,Metropolitan CongregationsUnited,EdenTheologicalSeminaryandotherfaith partners.itisatestamenttothecourageandfaiththatisbeingdemonstrated dailyinferguson.weaskyouto joinusinhandsupsabbathoctober10s13. I&became&convinced&that&noncooperation&with&evil&is&as&much&a&moral&obligation as&is&cooperation& with&good. DrMartinLutherKingJr
HandsUpSabbath:AToolkitRememberingFerguson TableofContents HandsupShabbat FindYourFerguson AJewishLitany RabbiSusanTalve Exodus32:1B14 WhenJusticeisDelayedinComing AReflectionontheLectionary RevDrLaurelKoepfTaylor ReflectionsonPsalm106:1B6,19B23andPsalm23 AReflectionontheLectionary RevDrClintMcCann SamplePrayersofIntercession ACatholicLitany RevDavidGerth LiftedHands AnAMELitany RevDrCassandraGould ThePowerofYouth AnEvangelicalReflectionandLitany RevDrTroyJackson Matthew 22:1B14 FergusonandtheFireNextTime AReflectionontheLectionary RevDrDeborahKrause Philippians4:2B9 BeoftheSameMind inferguson AReflectionontheLectionary RevDrDeborahKrause LiturgicalResourcesfortheWeekendofResistance WrittenforMCUPublicMeeting WrittenforMCUPublicMeeting
HandsUpShabbat FindYourFergusonBAJewishLitany RabbiSusanTalve BuildaSukkatShalom,aShelterofJusticeandPeaceduringSukkot Toactinthespiritofreligionistounitewhatliesapart,torememberthathumanityasawholeisGod s belovedchild.racismisworsethanidolatry.fewofusseemtorealizehowinsidious,howradical,how universalandevil,racismis.fewofusrealizethatracismisthegravestthreattohumankind. ~RabbiAbrahamJoshuaHeschel APrayerforSukkotfromtheVoicesofFerguson U9fros& aleinu,&sukkat&shlomeicha9&spread&forth&over&us&the&shelter&of&your&peace:&prayer Whyspreadforth?Becausewearecalledtocomeoutofourhomesandhiddenplacesandcrosstheartificial dividesofageandgenderandclassandraceandgrow theboothsofplentyandradicalhospitality thatwill shelterandfeedandnourishandsatisfyandwelcomethecitizenandthestrangerandallwhoaregatheredto marchforjustice. Rasheen&calls&out.&"No&justice,&no&peace" For&the&Sukkah&is&like&a&Chuppah: Sfat&Emeth& WhytheChuppah?WhenwestandundertheSukkahasamarriagecanopywebecomefamily.Wehearthe motherswhohavethe"talk" withtheirblackandbrownsons,"keepyourheaddown,don't run,losethe attitude." Wewitnesstherageofyoungwhoaretiredoftheprofilingandtheviolenttargetingandtypingof blackyouth."i&am&a&human&being."&brittany&calls&fromthestreetintothelineofpolicewithhelmetsandclubs. Webecome familyandthisbecomespersonalandweliftuptheirvoicesbecausetheyareus,theyareour future. The&new&moon&of&Rosh&Hashanah&draws&something&new&into&the&world& that&is&revealed&by&the&full&moon&of& Sukkot: chassidus Whatisrevealed?Thatthepresentcanredeemthesinsofthepast.LiketheIsraelitesthunderousmarching throughtheseashooktheknifeoutofabrahamshand,themarchesandprotests todemandjusticeand accountability forthedeathofmichaelbrownandcountlessotheryoungblackmenwillchangethe relationshipsofouryouthtothelegalsystem. "Black&lives&matter,"& Alexis&leads&with&her&chant. Blessed&is&the&One&that&commands&us&to&raise&the&Lulav.&Prayer& WhyistheblessingfortheLulav?Becauseeventhought theetrog(thecitrus)istheperfectfruitwithboth tasteandsmelltherecanbenomitzvahwithout thethreepartstothelulav,(themyrtle,thepalmandthe willow).withouttheerevrav,(themixedmultitude,)allofustogethermakingsurethatallofthevoicesare heard,marchingandworkingforjustice,thismomentwillneverbecomethemovementforchangeweare
longingfor.wejointhemultitudesoftheyoungblack,brownandwhite,standingfirm intheirprotests deepintothenight.wesupport theirvoicesastheyteachusallpointing to themselves, "Tell&me&what&democracy&looks&like,&this&is&what&democracy&looks&like." For&this&is&Z'man&Simchateinu.&The&season&of&our&joy. Jewishliturgy Why$joy?&How&can&we&speak&of&joy&while&we&still&mourn?&The&bandage&has&been&torn&from&the&wound& uncovering&the&deep&festering&sore&but& we&will¬&cover&it&up&again&until&it&is&healed&with& love&and&mercy&and& forgiveness&and&truth.&& Truth&about&the&modern&day&slavery&of&jobs&that&do¬&pay&a&living&wage&in&industries& making&huge&profits.&& Truth&about&the&internal&and&external&prejudices&that&lead&to&the&inequitable&distribution& of&power,&respect,&money,&education,&security&and&opportunity& between&people&who&are&white&and&people& who&are&black&and&brown.& Truth&about&the&suffering&of&every&family&when&another&child&whose&crime&was&being& black&suffers&from&&police&violence.&on&a&night&when&the&clergy&showed&up&and&the&police&stood& down Devonsaid,"Thank&you&for&coming,&If&I&was&Michael&Brown,&you&would&be&here&for&me."&"Yes,&but&I&am&here& because&i&don't& want&you&to&die.&no&more&death.&only&joy.&only&joy." Blessed&is&the&source&of&all&for&commanding&us&to&dwell&in&the&Sukkah.&prayer/&Leviticus TheSukkahwithit's fragilewallsremindsusthattherearenowallshighenoughorstrongenoughorfar enoughintothesuburbs tokeepussafe. OnlyifwespreadaSukkatshalom,ashelterofjusticeandpeace toall,willwebeabletodwellinthesukkah,inpeace.
Exodus32:1B14 WhenJusticeisDelayedinComing Rev.Dr.LaurelKoepfTaylor AssistantProfessorofOldTestamentSEdenTheologicalSeminary WhatdothepeopleofGoddowhenjusticeisdelayedincoming?AswereflectonExodus32andthelongroadto justiceformikebrownandtheresidentsofferguson,thissamequestionringstrue:whatdothepeopleofgoddo whenjusticeisdelayedincoming?thepeopleoftheexodusnarrative,waitingformoses returnfrommountsinai withthetabletsofthelawgrowanxiousandimpatient.theycallupontheirleaderstodosomethingnow.the textdescribesaaronmakingarashdecisionunderpressure.hecavestothecommunity sanxiety,theirfearthat Moses delaymeansthatheisnotcoming,noristhewordfromgodtheyawait.hisrashdecisionistocavetothe temptationtocreateafalsesubstituteforgod,somethingbrightandshinyandnew,somethingthatlooksstrong, andmostimportantlysomethingyoucanseeandtouchandknowistherewithyourightnow. TheproblemisthatthereisnotandcannotbeasubstituteforGodanymorethantherecanbeasubstitutefor justice.god,likethejusticeweseek,maybeintangible,butisirreplaceable.thegoldencalfofexodus32maycalm God speopleintheiranxiety,maybringaaronpeacefromtheirimpatientwordsofcomplaint,butitisnotapeace thatcanlast.nogoldencalfcanspeaktoandinspiregod speople,andnoquickfixcanbringtruejustice. WhatcanthepeopleofGoddowhenjusticeisdelayedincoming?Theycangiveintotheirownanxietyandsettle foraquickfix,aneasypeace.butweknowfromourscriptureandourexperiencealikethatthiswouldbeabright andshinydistractionfromtheworkthatneedstobedone,easingourmindswhentheyshouldstayunsettled.the peopleofgodhaveachoice:theycanchooseeaseortheycanchoosefaith.theycanresisttheurgetomakea goldencalfandinsteadstayintheirdiscomfort,notknowingwhenmoseswillreturnfromthemountain,not knowinghowlongjusticewillbeincoming,butlettingtheirfaithdrivethemtocontinueworkingtowardthetrue justicethatisalongtimecoming,butforwhichtherecanbenosubstitute.
ReflectionsonPsalm106:1B6,19B23(andPsalm23) MCU/FergusonOctoberWeekendofResistanceReflection ClintMcCannSEvangelicalProfessorofBiblicalInterpretation EdenTheologicalSeminarySWebsterGroves,MO AlthoughPsalm106consistslargelyofarehearsalofIsrael sdisobedience(representedbyvv.19s23inthelection), itbeginswithpraise(v.1)andendswiththepossibilityofrenewedpraise(v.47). WhatPsalm106seemstoinvite, therefore,isfuturefaithfulnessandobediencethatwilltrulyhonorgodandofferpraiseto God.Thisismostclearlythecaseinvv.2S3,wherethequestionaboutpraiseinv.2inansweredinv.3 thatis, Godwillbegenuinelypraisedby thosewhoobservejustice and dorighteousnessatalltimes. SuchbehavioralsopromisestruehappinesstoGod speople. Notcoincidentally,itseems,theconcludingpsalms ofbooksisivofthepsalterallmentionhappiness(see41:1s2;72:17;89:15;106:3). Happy isalsotheveryfirst wordinthepsalter(1:1),andps1:2suggeststhattruehappinessderivesfromconstantattentiontogod s Instruction (CEB; law innrsvandmosttranslations)orgod swill.therestofthepsalter includingpsalms 41,72,89,and106(alongwithPsalms82,96S99,andothers) makesitclearthatgod swillissummarized preciselybythewords justice and righteousness. AndthePsalmsmakeitcleartoothatjusticeand righteousnesshaveaveryparticularcontent namely,considerationofthepoor(41:1),whichmeansproviding for,protecting,andempoweringtheweakandtheneedy(72:12s14;82:3s4). Indeed,becauseitisapsalmthat outlinesthedutiesoftheking thatis,thegovernment Psalm72suggeststhatthefundamentalbiblicalcriterion forassessingthelegitimacyofagovernmentishowwellitattendstothemostvulnerableofitscitizens. Godwillnotbepraisednorwillpeoplebetrulyhappywhengovernmentsfailtoprovidefor,protect,andempower alloftheircitizens,especiallythemostvulnerable.atthispoint,theconnectionofps106:2s3(andrelatedpsalms) tofergusonisevident.inferguson,thegoverningauthoritiesdisplayedwantondisregardforhumanlifeinthe killingofmichaelbrown;andthistragicepisodehasbroughttolightalonghistoryofsystemicracismandwhite privilegeinst.louiscountythathasbenefittedpredominantlywhitepoliceforcesandmunicipalgovernmentsat theexpenseofafricansamericans. ThepriorityofjusticeandrighteousnessinthePsalmsisreinforcedbytheprophets.Ofparticularsignificancefor thesituationinfergusonistheprophetamos,whocriticized thegate thatis,thelegalsystem for impoverishingratherthanempoweringmajorsegmentsoftheisraelitepopulation(seeamos5:10,12).amos s famouscallforreform(5:24),echoedfrequentlybymartinlutherking,jr.,employsthekeytermsinps106:2s3: But&let&justice&roll&down&like&waters,&& & and&righteousness&like&an&ever9flowing&stream. Thealternatepsalmfortheday,Psalm23,mightseemtotallyunrelatedtothemessageabove;butit snot.unlike thesituationintheu.s.,psalm23functionsinsomepartsoftheworld,especiallyinafrica,asa politicaltract thatisusedtoprotestunjustrulersandsystems. Inshort,victimsofbrutalregimesindicttyrantsbysayingto them, TheLORDismyshepherd, andyou renot. Thetitle shepherd wasadesignationforkingsinthe ancientneareast(seeaboveonpsalm72);andpsalm23depictswhatagoodshepherd/king/governmentshould do thatis,providethebasicnecessitiesoffood,drink,andshelter/securityforallitscitizens,asgoddoesfor God speople.
INTRODUCTION:RevDavidGerth SamplePrayersofIntercession ACatholicLitanyfortheWeekendofResistance October10S13,2014 Sistersandbrothers,wegathertocelebratethemysteryofoursalvationinJesusChrist.LetusaskGodto openforalltheworldthegiftoflifeandblessing. INTERCESSIONSLEDBYTHEDEACONOROTHERMINISTER A.ForourHolyFather,PopeFrancis,whoasksustosharewith himthejoyofthegospel,thatwe mayreflecttoallintheworld thelightofjustice,wepraytothelord. RESPONSE:Lordhearourprayer. B.ForpeaceamongnationsthatGodmayridtheworld ofviolence,andthatwemayserve Godinfreedom,wepraytotheLord. C. FortheChurchinFergusonandforreligiouscongregationsthroughouttheSt.Louis Metropolitan areathatwemaycontinuetograpplewithvaluesofmercyandcompassion,we praytothelord. D. Forallinournationwhosehumanrightsaredailyputatrisk,mayGodbetheirdefender,let uspraytothelord. E.Forallwhoresideinourmetropolitan area,andespeciallyforthoseoffergusonwhofind themselvesinmaterialorspiritualneed,letuspraytothelord. F.Forfirstresponders:policeofficers,firefightersoremergencymedicalpersonnel,thatGod watchovertheminthemidstofdutyandprotect theirfamilieswhentheyaregone,letuspray tothelord. CONCLUDINGPRAYERBYTHEPRIEST OGod,heartheprayersofyourChurchthisday.Inyourlove,makeupforwhat islackinginourfaith.weaskthisthroughchristourlord.amen.
LiftedHands AnAMELitany RevDrCassandraGould Leader:Thepeopleofthelandpractice extortionandcommit robbery;theyoppressthepoorandneedy andmistreattheforeigner,denyingthemjustice.(eze.22:29) People:GODhasbeenconcernedwith andonthesideoftheoppressedsincethebeginningoftime.whenthe oppressorsput theirfeetonthenecksoftheisraelitesgodliftedhishandsagainstthosethatcaused oppression. Leader:WhenRichardAllen,AbsalomJonesandtheothersfeltoppressioneveninthemidst ofworship theyliftedtheirhands,notinsubmissionbutindetermination. People:Theiractsofcouragecreatedchange,opportunity andbirthedthea.m.e.church.westandtodayas peoplewhocarryonthelegacyofcourageandfaithbylifting ourhandsandourvoicesagainstinjustice acrosstheworld. Leader:TheBiblicalnarrativetellsofthebloodshed oftheinnocentatthehandsofthewicked. Today,the blood ofmikebrown,ericgarner,rekiyaboyd,marvinbookerandcountlessothersiscryingfromtheground, likethebloodofable.(gen.4:10). People:UnlikeCainweacknowledgethatweareourbrothers andoursisters keepers.weliftourhandsas westandinsolidaritywith youngpeopleinfergusonandacrossthisnationwhointhewords offannielou Hammerare sick andtiredofbeingsickandtired. Leader:HistoricallyA.M.E. slikerosaparks,charlottemaxeke,rev.dr.jamescone,bishoph.hartfordbrookins andrev.dr.timothytylerhavesatdown,sitin,stood up,spokenup,liftedtheirhandsandvoicesforthecause ofchrist,whichisjustice. ALL:WeraiseourhandstotheGODofjustice,weseekHisguidanceasweworktorestorethedignity ofour children,dignitythathasbeenmarredbybloodrunninginthestreet.inthespiritoftheprophet Amosand ofourforeparents,wedeclare,letjusticerolllikeamightyriverandrighteousnesslikea failingstream. Handsup,don t shoot Don tshootourdreams,don t shootourfuture.don tshootour children Handsup (Amos5:24)future.Don tshootourchildren Handsup (Amos5:24) 2014Rev.Dr.Cassandra Gould Pastor ofquinnchapel A.M.E.Jefferson City, MO
ThePowerofYouth AnEvangelicalReflectionandLitany Dr.TroyJackson Getthewordout.Teachallthesethings.Anddon t letanyoneputyoudownbecauseyou reyoung.teach believerswithyourlife:byword,bydemeanor,bylove,byfaith,byintegrity. 1Timothy4:12(The&Message) Weseemtohavearecurringproblem makingroomforyoungpeopletoleadandhaveavoiceinstrategyand vision.kingsaul,insteadofincludingandbenefittingfromdavid swisdom, feltthreatenedandattempted tokill theyoungleader.whenwereadbetweenthelines,wecanimagineleadersintheearlychurchworking to undercuttimothy sleadershipduetohisage. Paulrespondsbyimploring Timothytolead,andtosetanexamplethrough hislifeandcharacter.countless peoplehavereadthislettertotimothyoverthepasttwothousandyears,aconstant remindertoolderleadersto makeroomfortheenergyandpassionandvisionofyouth. DuringtheCivilRightsMovement,itwasyoungpeople,andparticularlyyoungpeopleofcolor, whoformedthe StudentNonviolentCoordinatingCommittee,ledthesitSinmovement,andprovidedmostoftheparticipants for thefreedomrides.andthewhiteevangelicalchurchdid notmakeroomforthevoicesandleadershipofthese youngleaders,remainingeitheronthesidelinesorworking tirelesslytoundergirdlegalizedsegregationandwhite supremacy. Sincethetragic deathofmichaelbrownonaugust9,2014inferguson,missouri,theauthenticleadershipofthe momenthasemergedfromyoungpeopleofcolor.thequestionis,willwemakeroomtoheartheircriesand makeroomfortheirdirection. Overthepastfewmonths,asI vewrestledwiththeplagueofhighsprofile shootingsofunarmedpeopleofcolor bypolice,andreckonedwiththeracializationofpovertyinournation,i vearrivedatatroublingconclusion: There$are$fewer$opportunities$for$education,$quality$jobs,$and$abundant$life$for$people$of$color$today$than$there$ have$been$since$the$days$of$jim$crow. Thechurchmusttakeseriouslytheleadershipanddespairofyoungpeopleofcolor ifwearegoingtoberelevant andbeonthesideofjusticeoverthecomingdecades. Mychallengeissimple: Listenintentlytothecriesandchallengesofyoungpeopleofcolor PrayforjusticeinthestreetsofFergusonandthroughout ournation Actbygettinginvolvedinthelocalstruggleforracialjusticeinyourcommunity CallandResponsePrayer YoungPeople:Weareyourchildren,yoursisters,yourbrothers,yourfriendsandyourleaderswhohavebeen leadingtheeffort tobringjusticeformichaelbrownandotheryoungpeopleofcolor. Adults:Getthewordout.Teachallthesethings.Anddon t letanyoneputyoudownbecauseyou reyoung.teach uswithyourlife:byword,bydemeanor,bylove,byfaith,byintegrity. YoungPeople:Youhavetrainedusandwehavetakenthattrainingtoveryreallifesituations.Wecannotbesilent anylongerandwecannotsitidlybywhilethepainofourcommunity criesouttous.
Adults:Getthewordout.Teachallthesethings.Anddon t letanyoneputyoudownbecauseyou reyoung.teach uswithyourlife:byword,bydemeanor,bylove,byfaith,byintegrity. YoungPeople:MuchlikeDavid,wehavewisdom tosharewithyou.donotfeelthreatenedbyus,butseekto includeus. Adults:Getthewordout.Teachallthesethings.Anddon t letanyoneputyoudownbecauseyou reyoung.teach uswithyourlife:byword,bydemeanor,bylove,byfaith,byintegrity. YoungPeople:Makeroomforourleadership,donotkeepusonthesidelinesortryandstepintoprotect us. Workwith us.weexperiencethetumult ofracialinjusticeandsystemicviolenceandwehavetobepartofthe solution. Adults:Getthewordout.Teachallthesethings.Anddon t letanyoneputyoudownbecauseyou reyoung.teach uswithyourlife:byword,bydemeanor,bylove,byfaith,byintegrity. YoungPeople:ItisoursistersandbrothersinFerguson(MichaelBrown),BeaverCreek(JohnCrawford)and Oakland(OscarGrant)whohaveriskedthemselvestodemonstratethatyoungpeopleofcolorarebearingthe brunt ofpoliceviolence.whilethisisnotindicativeofallpolicethereisapatternofsystemic violencethataffects us.adults:getthewordout.teachallthesethings.anddon t letanyoneputyoudownbecauseyou reyoung. Teachuswithyourlife:byword,bydemeanor,bylove,byfaith,byintegrity. YoungPeople:Westandwiththosewhoprotestthiscycleofbrutalityandwecommitourselvestoraisingthe issueinpublic, todemandourfaithspeakmeaningfullyaboutitandtoactsothatthisisnolongerarealityinour communities. Adults:Getthewordout.Teachallthesethings.Anddon t letanyoneputyoudownbecauseyou reyoung.teach uswithyourlife:byword,bydemeanor,bylove,byfaith,byintegrity. All:LetussetourhopeonthelivingGod,whoistheSaviourofallpeople,especiallyofthosewhobelieve,oldand young,onefamilyofbelieverscommitted toloveand justiceintheworld. justiceintheworld.
Matthew22:1B14 FergusonandtheFireNextTime DeborahKrause AcademicDeanandProfessorofNewTestament EdenTheologicalSeminary WhywouldanyonechoosetopreachonMatthew sversionofthegreatbanquetparable?luke14:16s24and GThomas64offerversionsofthestorythatreflectthemesofopeninvitation,andthesubversionofsocial hierarchiesinbuildingthereignofgod.matthew sversionoftheparable,ontheotherhand,seemstoreflecta laterallegorizationofthebanquetsceneawayfromavisionofinclusivecommunityandtowardarepresentation ofsalvationhistoryarounda weddingbanquet fortheking sson.moreover,matthew sversionaddselements thathighlightjudgment(thedemandforvigilanceabouthowoneisdressedatthe banquet coupledwiththe specterofcondemnation,weeping,andgnashingofteeth).anddonotforgettheseizing,thehumiliation,and thekilling,andtheburningofthecityallthrowninforgoodmeasure(matthew22:7).itisasifmatthew s versionofthestorygottakenhostageinthejewishwarwithromeandwasheldinacellwiththeparableofthe vineyard(matthew21:33s46).allthejoyiswrungoutoftheparty,andinitsplacematthewbuildsinanger, violence,destruction,dread,andeternaldamnation.matthew sstoryseemstobearthetraumaofmatthew s context adevastated,coloniallyoccupied,religiouslychauvinisticpeople(e.g.,thedistinctivevitrioltowardthe Pharisees,Matthew23)whoaretryingtofigureoutwhatisnext. Butforsuchatimeasthis inthemidstofanapocalypse 1 ofracismandwhitesupremacyandtheirlegacies withinourcitiesandcommunities(suchasferguson,mo)ssmatthew stextmaybecompletelyappropriate.far fromofferingautopianvisionofanegalitarianbanquet,perhapsthegospelcomestousthisweekviathe lectionarybearinglanguage,structures,legacies,andwoundswearechallengedtofaceasweworkforjustice andseekthepresenceandpurposeofgod. LastweekIreadaninterviewinMedium.comwithmyformerteacher,thereveredHebrewBiblicalscholar WalterBrueggemann.Inthatinterview,aMediumeditor,MickyJones,askedBrueggemanntoponderhowthe languageoftheprophetsspoketoandinacontextlikeferguson.brueggemannarguedthatpropheticspeech hasanhonestythatcanchallengecontemporarynorthamericaninterpretersoutoftheir bourgeoiscocoon ofniceness. 2 Iwouldarguethatinmuchthesameway,Matthew sparableholdsupamirrortoour structurallyviolent,dominating,whitesupremacistcultureanddemandsthatweaccountforit.howdoes Matthew slanguageofhierarchy,slavery,violence,devastationandragechallengeustoexaminehowour communitiesarebuilt,andatwhathumancostwehaveorderedoureconomy,oursecurity,oursenseof home, and belonging? Howcanoneimagine thegoodnews inatextlikematthew22:1s14?itcertainlydoesnotcomeintheformof asloganofinclusivityandabundancesuchas stillthereisroom, asisinluke14:22.insteadthelanguageof Matthew stextmightcallusoutofsucha cocoonofniceness andintosomethingofadifficultrecountingofa historyofslaves,murders,andwarandanhonestaccountingofthecosts(humanandotherwise).suchahistory andaccountingwoulddemandalossofinnocenceofthereignofgodasatablethatispassivelysetforus,and mightchallengeustobeabouttheworkofdismantlingandrebuildingcommunitiesinwhichwedemand structuraljusticeandwellbeingforall.thiskindofchallengetoinnocenceandcalltohonestyevokesformethe apocalypticcallattheconclusionofjamesbaldwin s1963essayonthelegaciesandtraumasofwhite supremacyforblackpeopleinwhiteamerica. 1 Iusetheterm apocalypse hereinitsdouble7edgedsenseofboth unveiling, andjudgment. 2 MickeyJones, ModelsandAuthorizations:AnInterviewwithWalterBrueggemann, https://medium.com/theology7of7ferguson/models7and7authorizations7an7interview7with7walter7brueggemann73ab5ecd96c20
Everythingnow,wemustassume,isinourhands;wehavenorighttoassumeotherwise.IfweSandnowImean therelativelyconsciouswhitesandtherelativelyconsciousblacks,whomust,likelovers,insistonorcreate,the consciousnessofothers donotfalterinourdutynowwemaybeable,handfulthatweare,toendtheracial nightmareandachieveourcountry,andchangethehistoryoftheworld.ifwedonotnowdareeverything,the fulfillmentofthatprophecy,recreatedfromthebibleinsongbyaslave,isuponus: GodgaveNoahthe rainbowsign,nomorewater,thefirenexttime. 3 Onemightrightlywondermorethan50yearsafterBaldwin schallengeifthewindowof nowdaringeverything haspassed,butmatthew sparablewithit slongviewofhistoryanditspromiseoftheouterdarknessforthose whoarepassiveandunengagedseemstosuggestthatconsciouscollaborationforjusticeremainstheonlyviable choice.grantedthisisnottheutopianopentable,butratheracallingtojointhestruggle.thegoodnewsthis Sundaymaybethatwecanhearthecallandworkto achieveourcountry. deraymckesson:@deray:whyprotest?becausewecanimagineanamericathatisbetterthanthis.because blacknessisnotaweaponoracrime.#ferguson 3 JamesBaldwin,GoTellitontheMountain,TheFireNextTime,andIfBealeStreetCouldTalk,(NewYork:BlackExpressions,2004),pp.105S 06.
Philippians4:2B9 BeoftheSameMind inferguson DeborahKrause AcademicDeanandProfessorofNewTestament EdenTheologicalSeminary ThelettertothechurchatPhilippiiswidelyknownasapartofPaul sprisoncorrespondence.thisletterwas writtenwhilepaulwasimprisoned(likelyinahome)undertheauspicesofromanimperialauthorityinthe coastalcityofephesusinasiaminor.thiscontextofromancolonialoccupationandpaul sparticularlocation withinitasagainstthelawprovidesastrikinglocationforhisteachinginphilippians4:1s9.earlyintheletter Pauloutlineshowhisimprisonmentis forchrist, (1:13),and fordefenseofthegospel, (1:16).The implicationsofhisleadershipareclear proclaimingthegoodnewsofjesuschristthecrucifiedandrisenoneis anactivitythatstandsboldlyinthefaceofthedominationsystemsofromanimperialpower.whiletheboldness ofhiswitnessinspiresfaithandcourageinmany(includingthoseamongtheimperialguard,1:13),thethreatto hislifeispalpable.inhisarrestthecapriceandviolenceofromancolonialpowerismediatedthroughanetwork ofephesianofficialsandromanguards.thedynamicsarecomplexandmercurial.whatpaulseemsto experienceasfavoroneday,maywellresultincondemnationthenext.italldepends.withoutrightsheis subjecttoanyofficial swhim. 1 Toremindourselvesofhisvulnerabilityinthisletter,allweneedtorememberis thathisnextimprisonmentinrome(likelyundersimilarcircumstances)resultedinhisexecution. TheadmonitiontoEuodiaandSyntychethatthey beofonemind, (4:2)comestowardtheconclusionofthe letterafterpaulhasofferedthephilippianhymninthebodyoftheletterasacallto beofthemind ofchrist (2:5)incontrasttothemindofRome.InthisteachingPaulmapsoutthepowerofthegospelasthatwhichis conformedtoloveratherthanviolence.tohavethemindofchrististochoosegod spowerofloveoverrome s powerofdomination.itistothiswayoflivingthathesummonstwowomenofthechurch,euodiaand SynthycheinPhil4:2. Thetextdoesnotofferdetailastowhatpresentlydividesthewomen,orwhytheyneedthisparticular encouragement.thatpaulcallsthemto beofonemind, andsuggeststheyneedthe help ofhiscompanion (perhapstimothyorepharoditus),mayindicatethattheyareinaconflict.whateverthecase,thefactthatpaul namestwowomenandclaimsthemas thosewhohavestruggledinthegospel withhimas cosworkers, indicatestheirimportanceinthemovement.paul sauthorityfromthecontextofhisownimprisonmentisas onewhohaschosenthewayofthe mind ofchrist.inthishisencouragementto rejoiceinthelordalways, (4:4)isfarfromaPollyannacheerfulness,itisaboldandcourageoustestimonytothepowerofChrist sway thewaythatpoursitselfoutinloveandtherebytransformstheworld(2:5s11).itisinthespiritofthis testimony,andallthatisatstakewithinitthatpaulcallsthephilippianchurchto thinkabout (tochooseto alignone smind)withallthatisjust,pure,pleasing,excellent,andworthyofpraise(4:9).toalignoneselfthis wayistoalignoneselfwithpaul sexampleandultimatelytoalignoneselfwithchrist. Thethreatofarrestandthepalpablepresenceofviolenceanddominationatthehandsofthepoliceisan enduringrealityforthefergusonprotesters.theychant AS1fromDay1 asamarkeroftheirenduring commitmenttothewitnessagainstthe mind ofempirethatexecutedmikebrownandlefthiminthestreetfor fourandahalfhoursonaugust9.theycry Arrestone,Arrestusall toclaimthecourageandsolidaritytheyfeel intheirboldwitnesstostandnightlyinthefaceofpolicebrutality,violence,andthreats.thisisnota death 1 ThesedynamicsarereminiscentoftheexperiencemanyinNorthCountyofSt.Louishavesharedabouttheirexperiencewithinthesystem ofmunicipalcourts.seetheexcellentresearchpaperofthearchcitydefendersonthissubject: http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/1279541/archcitysdefenderssreportsonsstslouisscounty.pdf
wish, butaconformationofmind,achoicetostandinandforapoweralternativetothepowerofdomination.to beclear,thefergusonprotestersarenotmakinganexplicitlychristian,orfaithbasedwitness,buttheirchoiceto standagainstempireandforjusticehearkenstowhatiunderstandpaulcallshaving themindofchrist. IreadaFacebookpostlastweekfromsomeonewhohadattendedtheprotestsforthefirsttime.Thepost offeredimpressionsandwasprocessingtheexperience oneofwhichread: thismovementisnotorganized,the protestersarearguingamongstthemselves,theyneedtobedisciplinedandmoreefficient. Thisisafamiliar chide.whenisetphilippians4:2s9andthissentimentalongsideoneanotherihearpaul scallto beofthesame mind notasacommandforafalseunity,butratherasareminderthateuodiaandsyntycheareonthesame side.assuchhecallsthemtoengagewithoneanotheragainstthepowerofromewiththemindofchrist. Additionally,letusnoticehowPaulmakesthatplea.First,hemakesitfromthecontextofimprisonmentwhere heisauthorizedbyhisownexperiencetochallengethem.second,hefollowshissummonstothewomento have thesamemindinchrist, withremembranceoftheirongoingstruggleandimportantwitnessinthe movement.heacknowledgesthattheyareinthestruggle theyareonthestreetssandthatthestreetishard. Tobeonthestreetistobebathedinthemechanics,optics,andrhetoricofdominationandviolence.Itisinthis realitythatpaulmakesthecallto guardyourheartsminds withthepeaceofgod(phil4:6s7).suchguardingis inandofitselfanactofresistance onethatchoosesinthefacedominationanddehumanizationtoseethe presenceofamoreenduringpowerinthatwhichistrue,honorable,just,pure,beautiful,andexcellent.joining thestruggle nomatterwhenorfromwhencewecomessmeansjoininginthehardworkofdailyseeingthis wayinthefaceofallthatseekstoseparate,divide,anddestroywhoweareasgod speople.
LiturgicalResourcesfortheWeekendofResistance The&liturgy&(193)&&below&incorporates& portions&of&the&confession&of&belhar,&which&grew&out&of&the&struggle& against&apartheid&in&south&africa.&the&prayers&(7910)&are&from&prayerencirclingtheworld,&westminster/john& Knox&Press.&&The&prayer&(6)&waswrittenfor&the&MCU&public&meeting. 1.TheOpeningSentencesadapted& from&the&belhar&confession Wegathertoworship believingthatgodhasbeenrevealed asonewhowishestobringaboutjusticeandtrue peaceamongpeople. Inourworshipwearestrengthened sothatwecandowhatisgoodandseekwhatisright. 2.TheOpeningSentencesadapted& from&the&belhar&confession Wegathertogether,asthechurchofJesusChrist,toconfirm thewordsofthebelharconfession: Godhasentrustedthechurch withthemessageofreconciliation inandthroughjesuschrist:godhascalled thechurchtobethesaltoftheearth andthelightoftheworld. Thecredibilityofthismessageisseriouslyaffectedandits beneficialworkobstructed whenitisproclaimedinalandwhichprofessestobechristian, butinwhichthe separation ofpeopleonaracial(oreconomic)basis promotesandperpetuates alienation,hatredandenmity. InourworshipmayweexperiencethereconcilingloveofGod whichpreparesustoparticipateinchrist sworkofreconciliation inthesaintlouiscommunityandbeyond.
3.ThePrayerofConfessionadapted& from&the&confession& of&belhar Weconfess thatinaworldfullofinjusticeandenmity, wehavenotproclaimedenoughthatgodis,inaspecialway,thegodofthe destitute,thepoor,andthewronged; thatgodbringsjusticetotheoppressedand givesbreadtothehungry; thatgodfreestheprisonerandrestoressighttotheblind;thatgod supportsthedowntrodden, protectsthestranger,helpsorphansand widows. Weconfess thatwehavenotprayedenoughthatthechurch wouldstandbypeopleinanyformofsufferingorneed,whichimplies, amongotherthings,thatthechurch mustwitnessagainstandstriveagainstanyformofinjustice,sothatjustice mayrolldownlikewaters, andrighteousnesslikeaneverbflowingstream. Weconfess thatwehavenotcelebratedenough thesacraments ofbaptismandeucharistsoasto learnthat,asthechurchofgodwemuststand wheregodstands, namely against injustice and with the wronged; that in following Christ the church must witness against all the powerfulandprivileged whoselfishlyseektheirowninterestsand thuscontrolandharmothers. Weconfess Godhavemercyandhearourcrytoyou.Amen. 2
4.ThePrayerofConfession Our&prayer&is&from&the&text&of&hymn˷,& O&&God,&&We&&Bear&&the&&Imprint&&of&&Your&&&Face && which&views&racism¬&as&a&societal&problem&but&as&a&theological&problem.&when&we&distance& ourselves&from&other& people&because&of&the&color&of&skin,&we&fail&to&honor&their&god9likeness&and&see& Christ s&&image&&in&&them.&&after&we&praythewordsasalitany,wewillsingthewordstogether. & &OGod,webeartheimprintofyourface: thecolorsofourskinareyourdesign, andwhatwehaveofbeautyinourraceasmanorwoman,youalonedefine, whostretchedalivingfabriconourframeandgavetoeachalanguageandaname. Wherewearetornandpulledapartbyhatebecauseofrace,ourskinisnotthesame, whilewearejudgedunequalbythestate andvictimsmadebecauseweownourname,humanityreducedtolittleworth, dishonoredisyourlivingfaceonearth. OGod,wesharetheimageoftheOne whosefleshandbloodareours,whateverskin; inchrist shumanitywefindour own, andinhisfamilyourproperkin:christisthebrotherwestillcrucify, hislovethelanguagewemustlearn,ordie.amen. 3
5.TheAffirmation offaith fromthe&confession&of&1967,&pcusa Godhascreatedthepeoplesoftheearthtobe oneuniversalfamily. InGod s reconcilinglove,godovercomes thebarriersbetweenbrothersandsisters andbreaksdowneveryformofdiscrimination basedonracialorethnicdifferences,realorimaginary. Thechurchiscalledtobringallpeopletoreceiveandupholdoneanotheras personsinallrelationshipsoflife: inemployment, housing,education,marriage,family,church, andtheexerciseofpoliticalrights. Therefore,thechurchlaborsfortheabolitionofallracialdiscriminationandministersto thoseinjuredbyit. Congregations, individuals, orgroupsofchristians whoexclude,dominate,orpatronizetheirbrothersorsisterinchrist,howeversubtly, resistthespiritofgod andbringcontemptonthefaithwhichtheyprofess. 6.ALitanyforTroubledHearts HolyGod,werememberJesus wordstohisdisciples, Donotletyourheartsbetroubled. Werecall,withdeepgratitude,howthesepowerfulwordshavesustained andcomfortedyourpeople inmanyseasonsandsituations. Andyet,webelievethattherearetimes whenweneedtolivewithheartsthataretroubledoverthe painandinjustice thatwehaveembedded inyourgoodcreation. Infact,therearetimeswhen,inthemidstofdeepsin,youtrouble thewaters andcauseaheavinesstotakeuprentinourhearts aheavinessthatwillnotbeassuaged bysoothingplatitudesoreasypromises,a heavinessthatwillonlymoveout whenjusticeandpeacemovein. 4
5 Listen,inmercy,tothosethingsthattroubleusmostthisday: (concerns&of&the&community&are&included&in&the&litany) Wearetroubled,OGod,.. Troubleourhearts,OGod, untilwebecomeyourbelovedcommunity. Wearetroubled,OGod.. Troubleourhearts,OGod, untilwebecomeyourbelovedcommunity. Maythetroublewefeelinourheartsthisday causeustogoforwardwithdeterminedmindsandresolutespirits.saveusfrom cowardiceandcomplacency thatwemightspeaktothehearts ofallwhoaretroubledandafraidinthiscommunitywiththe promisethatcanonlybefullyreceived inacommunitythatbelievespeaceandjusticetobepossible: Letnotyourheartsbetroubled. MayitbesoAmen. Rev.&Mary&Gene&Boteler 7.APrayer Lord,inthesetimeswhenweareabouttolosehopeandour effortsseemfutile, grantthatwemayperceiveinourheartsandmindstheimageof yourresurrection whichremainsouronlysourceofcourageandstrength, sothatwemaycontinuetofacethechallenges,and struggleagainsthardshipandoppression bornofinjustice. Unidentified,& Philippines&from&PrayersEncirclingtheWorld
6 8.APrayerPatternedaftertheLord sprayer OurFather,whoartinthisourland,may yournamebeblessed inourincessantsearchforjusticeandpeace. Mayyourkingdomcome forthosewhohaveforcenturiesawaitedalifewithdignity. Mayourwillbedoneonearthandinheavenandin thechurchintheunitedstates thatwemightbeachurchonthesideofthepoorandoppressed. Giveustodayourdailybread thatwemighthavethestrengthtobuildanewsociety. Forgiveusoursins;donotletusfallintothetemptation ofbelievingourselvesalreadynewpeople. Anddeliverusfromtheevilofforgettingthatourlives andthelifeofthiscountryareinyourhands.amen. Nicaragua&9&Adapted,& from&prayersencirclingthe 9.APrayer OGod,mayyourChurchdiscover, thenidentifyitslifewithgroupsofpeoplewho sufferinjusticeandremainunheard. MayyourchurchbetheChurchofthevoiceless.Letyour Churchstrugglewithallwhostruggleandsofindtheway ofyourcross,andthewaytotrueresponsibility. Amen. Emilio&Castro,&Uruguay&from&PrayersEncirclingtheWorld 10.ALitany Wearehere,OGod,becausewebelieve.Itis yourgiftandourstruggle tofreeourselvesfromallthatenslavesus. HolyOne,setusfree. Wearehere,OGod,becausewebelieveinjustice.Itisyour giftandourstruggle
toworldforjusticeinourownlivesand inournationandintheworld. Godofjustice,setusfree. Wearehere,OGod,becausewebelieveinunity.Itisyour giftandourstruggle. Helpustobuildbridgesandreachout insolidarity in brotherhood andsisterhood. Godofall,makeusone. Wearehere,OGod,becausewebelieveinpeace.Itisyour giftandourstruggle. Helpuschangetheinjusticesandinequalities thatdestroytruepeace. Godofpeace,leaduson. Australia from&an&action&for&world&development& service&held&in& Brisbane, 7