photo by Sera Chung
25 October 2017
University Circle
Cleveland, Ohio
Filed under Friends, Photo, Uncategorized
29 September 2017
Presbyterian Center
Louisville, Kentucky
My colleagues and friends seem to know me well.
Filed under Friends, Louisville, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Uncategorized
25 August 2017
part of a banner by Sooeun Kim,
sister of my friend Jieun Kim
Louisville, Kentucky
Filed under Friends, Louisville, Photo
Photo by Florence Vargas
17 August 2017
Ruelia Gigante
San Sebastian, Puerto Rico
Photo by Sera Chung
15 July 2017
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton, New Jersey
Staff and friends of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) gathered this morning at the Presbyterian Center for a chapel service in response to racism and white supremacy in Charlottesville and other places. (An archived live stream of the service is available.)
My colleague and friend, José Luis Casal, director of World Mission, helped celebrate communion.
During the Words of Institution, José Luis observed that, “The bodies of all who have been victims of injustice, the victims of rejection, the victims of violence…are the body of Jesus Christ.”
He reminded us that to come to the table and to partake of the bread and the cup is to commit ourselves personally to stand on the side of love with Jesus and to work against racism, white supremacy, every form of systemic oppression, violence and all that harms any of God’s precious children.
Silently, I shouted “Amen” as loudly as I could.
And I wondered—when the Presbyterian Center or any church or worshipping community gathers to celebrate communion, isn’t that organization making a similar statement? The act of gathering at Christ’s table is, for the community as well, a radical act of commitment to Jesus and to justice, to love and to grace.
May it be so. Amen.
See you along the Trail.
Thanks to my friend and colleague Marissa Galván who posted some of José Luis’s word and inspired me to write this post. The image appeared on the cover of the worship bulletin this morning. View the bulletin for the service.
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Friends, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Worship
Sad news arrived today in the Forest Hill Church (Presbyterian) newsletter:
The office learned that Carolyn Doggett, former member, Deacon and Elder, died on July 21, 2017.
The Lake Erie Girl Scout Council employed Carolyn. But her true passion lay in working for racial justice. Carolyn knew herself to be a beloved child of God. As such, she understood that all people are precious to God and all people should be treated accordingly.
Carolyn played a key role in the work to disrupt institutional racism and seek racial equity in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. She challenged the status quo with a fierce, gentle passion.
A dignified, graceful, persistent, disruptive resistor, Carolyn taught me much and touched my soul.
I give thanks for her life and faith and love and witness. I give thanks that she was my co-worker, colleague, and friend. I pray for all who grieve at her death.
In the Communion of Saints, Carolyn goes with us in the struggle for justice and the march for peace.
Thanks be to God for Carolyn Doggett!
Presente!
See you along the Trail.
P.S. – I wish I had a photo to share. Not for myself, Carolyn is forever present in my mind’s eye and in my heart, but for you who did not know her.
Filed under Antiracism, Friends, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
