As a historic peace church, how do we understand the meaning of “true” peace? As we reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we can see how our understanding of peace amidst race relations has changed over the years. If we look back to the time of slavery, we can see that Brethren were ahead
race
Black History Month: Future
If you haven’t read the first two posts in this series, you can find them here and here. Future “The Universe is a House Party,” by Tracy K. Smith (video) “The Universe: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack,” by Tracy K. Smith “what the cathedral said to the black boy,” by Clint Smith III The final installment
Black History Month: Present
If you haven’t read the first post in this series, please read it here first. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for
Black History Month: Past
For the end of Black History Month, I have curated three small collections of poetry, each with an accompanying reflection. The three reflections will dwell on the ideas of “past,” “present,” and “future.” Too often, it seems people and events must be decades old to be documented by the mainstream as “black history.” We must
With Actions and In Truth: An introduction to OPP’s new racial justice position
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. “ — I John 3:17 In 2007, the Church of
Were You There When They Killed King?
We need all of you. And you know what’s beautiful to me is to see all of these ministers of the Gospel. It’s a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must have a kind of fire shut
Where is Martin Luther King Jr.?
“I have never seen, even in Mississippi and Alabama, mobs as hateful as I’ve seen here in Chicago.” – Rev Martin Luther King Jr., in 1966 Where is Martin Luther King Jr. in your neighborhood? How would our national history be different if he had never been assassinated? We often think of Rev. Dr. Martin
“God’s time is always near”: Thoughts from the African American Museum
“God’s time is always near. He gave me my strength, and He set the North star in the heavens; He meant I should be free.” —Harriet Tubman, 1859 The path through the museum really begins outside, waiting in line with hopeful tourists and Washington, D.C., residents in the heat and humidity to receive midday tickets
On the Road to Damascus: When the scales fall from our eyes
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated our country. It not only flooded cities, destroyed buildings, and displaced people off the Gulf region– it somehow displaced all of us. I remember being struck by a photo of an older, Black woman, suddenly homeless, wrapped in an American flag. It seemed impossible to believe that this could
Thinking About Ferguson – Again
This is not a one year old problem –Efrem Smith A year ago, I had never heard of Ferguson – despite having traveled to Missouri several times, and despite loving a sci-fi show set in St. Louis. Or if I heard of it, it didn’t register. Not the way it does now. Now I cannot