Talking About Race
Posted on May 28, 2020 by
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
— 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The Central States Synod is asking rostered leaders and Parish Ministry Associates to participate in Zoom meetings to start a conversation about racism. We were asked to attend two Zoom meetings, read a book with a group, and follow up during June.
At first, I thought, with everything else I am doing during COVID-19 and the transition work as interim, do I really need one more thing? But as I watched the Zoom videos and began reading the book for my small group, I realized I do need to take the time for this conversation. With recent events in the news — Ahmaud Arbery, who was jogging and shot to death; Christian Cooper, a birdwatcher accused of doing harm to a woman in New York’s Central Park; and, earlier this week, George Floyd and the police, whose behavior in Minnesota caused his death — I understand the great need for this conversation. I am far from perfect in how I treat people of color, but I confess who I am and how I want to change is a work in process. I am thankful for this conversation, direction, and guidance. It be will reflected in my preaching.
Yet, I also feel like I should preach in a manner that does not shame people, but guide people in their journeys. We are in this process and so many others together. So keep up the faith, my siblings in Christ. God has called us to be faithful.
Peace,
Pastor Cynthia