Shifting population demographics represent the diverse human family which God creates and loves. They are not signs of replacement nor do they threaten civilizational erasure. They invite us to live more fully the life God intends for us. They are a gift.
Tag Archives: diversity
A prayer to the Creative Spirit of diversity
Creative Spirit,
you make all that is,
you make the human family,
in rich, wild diversity,
each one in your own image,
everyone beloved by you.
The diversity you create
enlarges the sphere of possibilities
for all of us.
Help us
acknowledge the diversity you create
as your gift to us;
understand the diversity you create
as enhancing your world;
and celebrate the diversity you create
as enriching our lives.
Inspire us to reject and dismantle
all systems and ideologies
that erroneously and sinfully
maintain that some of us have greater value.
Guide us to welcome all people
as your beloved children
and to love one another
as taught and lived by Jesus
in whose name we pray.
Amen.
inspired by When God Became White by the Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim (subscribe to her Substack account)
Filed under Antiracism, Books, Current Events, Human Rights
Juneteenth 19 June 2025
Juneteenth.
Juneteenth – Suav
People Get Ready – The Impressions
Oh Freedom – Mary D. Williams
Freedom Road – The Blind Boys of Alabama
People Gotta Be Free – Keb’ Mo’
Free – Prince
Free – Deniece Williams
Is My Living in Vain – Mattie Moss Clark & The Clark Sisters
This Little Light of Mine – Fannie Lou Hamer
Freedom Now – Tracy Chapman
I’m Just a Slave – The Roots
Not a Slave – Dre’ Sr
Freedom – Richie Havens
Woke up This Morning with My Mind Stayed on Freedom – Congregation of Brown Chapel
Harriet Tubman/Steal Away – Kim & Reggie Harris
Juneteenth – Cast of Black-ish
Say It Loud – I ‘m Black and I’m Proud – James Brown
Alright – Kendrick Lamar
A Brand New Day – The Wiz
Fantasy – Earth, Wind & Fire
Yes We Can, Can – The Pointer Sisters
Ella’s Song – Sweet Honey in the Rock
Get Up Stand Up – Bob Marley & The Wailers
Mississippi Goddam – Nina Simone
Someday We’ll All Be Free – Donny Hathaway
9th Wonder (Blackitolism) – Digibale Planets
Soul Sista – Bilal
Freedom – Joi
O-O-H Child – The Five Stairsteps
Free – Destiny’s Child
I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers
Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
I Am the Black Gold of the Sun – Rotary Connection & Minnie Riperton
One Nation under a Groove – Funkadelic
Build a House – Rhiannon Giddons & Yo-Yo Ma
Juneteenth Song – Gracie’s Corner
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing – Beyonce
Filed under Albuquerque, Antiracism, Human Rights, Music, New Mexico, playlist
8 March 2025
International Women’s Day
One Woman: A Song for UN Women
Gentle Rebellion – Rebecca Riots
Compassion – Magdalen Hsu-Li
Feel Like A Natural Woman – Carole King
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Just Because I’m a Woman – Dolly Parton
Transgender Dysphoria Blues – Against Me!
Born This Way – Lady Gaga
I Am Woman – Helen Reddy
Independent Women, Pt. 1 – Destiny’s Child
Break the Chain – One Billion Rising
Walk Beside Me – Celtic Woman
Racist, Sexist Boy – The Linda Lindas
I Will Not Be Denied – Bonnie Raitt
Motherland – Natalie Merchant
Run the World – Beyonce
Blackbird – Emma Stevens
I AM WOMAN – Emmy Meil
And We Can Love (World) – Mary Youngblood
Ella’s Song – Sweet Honey In the Rock
Imagine – Eva Cassidy
Find Your Way – Adina Nyree
I Am a Woman – Ruby Hunter
I Am Her – Shea Diamond
Warrior Heart – Sjawmee
All That You Have Is Your Soul – Tracy Chapman
Brave New World – Sera
Crowded Table – The Highwomen
Four Women – Nina Simone
Ain’t I a Woman (Singing Truth) – Pauline Jean
Filed under Current Events, Music, playlist, United Nations
25 Dec #celebrate #AdventWord 2018
The Advent devotional project, #AdventWord is offered by the Society of St John the Evangelist. Each day a word is provided and participants are invited to share images and/or reflections and to use hashtags so our reflections may be included in an Advent Calendar with others from around the world.
Filed under Antiracism, Human Rights, Photo
21 Dec #Sign #AdventWord 2018
The Advent devotional project, #AdventWord is offered by the Society of St John the Evangelist. Each day a word is provided and participants are invited to share images and/or reflections and to use hashtags so our reflections may be included in an Advent Calendar with others from around the world.
Embracing the Other – the book is here
My copy of Embracing the Other, written by my friend Grace Ji-Sun Kim, arrived. I look forward to reading Grace’s reflections on how the Holy Spirit inspires and sustains us to work toward healing, reconciliation, and justice among all people, regardless of race or gender. You can too!
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Antiracism, Books, Friends
Why I like New York 34: languages
There are at least four languages being spoken on this bus.
— (@pluckypresby) July 20, 2013
The bus to which the tweet refers is the bus with the group of young people from the Presbytery of New York City who attended the 2013 Presbyterian Youth Triennium.
On the streets, in the subway, and even when we travel, languages mark New York.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under New York
Why I like New York 30: here be the world’s people
I had the privilege to preach at First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills this morning. At its May 21 meeting, the Presbytery of New York City will vote to approve (technically they don’t have to approve, but they will) my friend Larissa Kwong Abazia as their pastor. She will start her ministry in August. Until then, the church has pulpit supply pastors. Today I preached and celebrated Communion.
About 60 people gathered for worship this morning. Even a group that size had incredible diversity.
During the coffee hour, I talked for a long time with three members – one from Madagascar, one from Russia, and one from Zambia.
Similar experiences have blessed me in other congregations and locations around the city – this international city.
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 