Cardboard on sidewalk,
he bows, prays
Tag Archives: diversity
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.
Down by (or near) the Riverside
Saturday 30 June brought Riverside Conversations (the convention center is on the Allegheny) at the 220th General Assembly (2012) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Commissioners, advisory delegates, and others gathered to consider a range of topics. Some conversations looked at issues before the assembly, some at broader topics in the life of the church.
My friend and colleague Irene Pak and I (our mutual friend and colleague Bruce Reyes-Chow took the photo for us) led an introductory conversation on the church’s need to address racism if we wish to live into the wondrous diversity God creates.
We started with prayer and then had participants (somewhere near 50 in number) introduce themselves and share an experience of diversity. A brief reflection on diversity, race (social construct built on the diversity God creates) and racism (people with power granting themselves privilege based on that construct) followed. We acknowledged that the Presbyterian Church has a mixed record on race and racism – as do all churches and institutions. We have helped create racism – we help perpetuate racism – and we help dismantle racism. A litany affirming God’s intention that we live together in diversity and reminding us of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s commitment followed.
The group then heard three remarkable stories of efforts to dismantle racism: the work of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh that began with a focus on slavery in Western Pennsylvania; the New Beginning Initiative toward reconciliation between the Alaska Natives and Presbyterians; and a range of efforts that focus on racism in the criminal justice system.
Participants then used Mutual Invitation to engage in conversations about what they had heard. The event closed with the song “I’m Going to Live So God Can Use Me” as our prayer.
In my closing observations, I noted that working to dismantle racism is a calling for a life-time. It is ongoing work. It is challenging work. It involves us in encountering other systems of oppression, privilege, and domination. It is a journey. But it is a journey God calls us to make. And it is a journey on which we have wonderful traveling companions.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Antiracism, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
