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.)
Photo by Martha Brown
22 July 2017
Iona, Scotland
Filed under Friends, Louisville
We gathered today at the Presbyterian Center to celebrate and honor a friend. Joe Edmiston works in the payroll office for the Presbyterian Mission Agency. He has been with the church for over 20 years. Everyone knows him, most of us appreciate his wry sense of humor. He regularly did countdowns of the number of days to other significant days: so many days to the next holiday, for example.
Joe recently received a diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer.
In shock and hope, his colleagues and friends put on purple today and gathered in the atrium at the Presbyterian Center to wish him a Happy Birthday. He’s in our hearts and thoughts and prayers.
Collage by Melody Smith
Filed under Friends, Louisville, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Uncategorized
Photo:WCC
24 July 2017
On 13 August, churches across the world are invited to show solidarity with Korean churches by joining a “Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula.”
The theme for the prayer is based on Romans 14:19: “Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” The day of prayer occurs two days before Liberation Day in Korea (15 August), during which people celebrate Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonization.
The joint prayer was prepared by the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) from North Korea and the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) from South Korea.
In a letter of invitation to member churches, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit and World Communion of Reformed Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Chris Ferguson invited parishes and individuals across the world to pray for the reconciliation and healing of the divided Korean Peninsula.
“The prayer is an important part of our growing movement to overcome the antagonism that divides the Korean Peninsula and continue to open interaction between communities, churches and people,” the letter reads. “We believe churches across the world can, through prayer, help foster an environment in which peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula can flourish.”
Links:
Material Global Prayer Day on 13 August, 2017
Letter to member churches WCC and WCRC
WCRC statement on the Korean peninsula 7 July, 2017
WCC statement on the Korean peninsula 11 June, 2017
Mutuality and cooperation focus at Korean peace meeting in Leipzig (WCC press release 14 July, 2017)
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Current Events
