October 9, 2020
 

A year ago I was in Montgomery with a national ecumenical group called Christian Churches Together on a spiritual pilgrimage remembering 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Across denominations, we walked through powerful and tragic racial history together. I learned about the racial terror lynchings in our country. I removed my shoes with the group as we stood in 110 degree heat around a fountain on Commerce Street where enslaved Africans were bought and sold—knowing that only God can make a place like that holy ground as we sang “Amazing Grace.”

I left there with pain in my heart for what I witnessed, gratitude for the relationships formed through conversation, and conviction in my heart that the work of antiracism could not just be something I talked about at conferences but lived out every day.

Pastor Sandra and I dreamed about what a St. Paul’s pilgrimage to Montgomery might look like and how we might foster education through SEEK Team around the work of antiracism. We looked ahead to 2020 and 2021 and began to sketch when would be the best time to do this work well.

Then the pandemic hit. Then George Floyd died.

And it was clear that the time was now for our church to do the work of antiracism collectively. Since then, we’ve had over 100 people in antiracism small groups, over 80 people request Black Lives Matter signs as a witness of faith in their neighborhoods, we have begun to work on using black-owned businesses for our purchases (like those masks!), and we have learned in worship what it means to see God in this work in scripture and in Kansas City.

This week, I gathered on Zoom with the Christian Churches Together folks again. There were a lot of weary voices asking if anything had changed since we last met. I could hear the frustration in their voices. But I was so convicted by the Spirit to see with eyes wide open how God has moved our church in the last year.

As Wesleyan Christians, we believe in prevenient grace—that God’s grace goes before us. What an example of that grace this is! God has paved a way for this work for us at St. Paul’s, and I’m grateful to each of you for the confessional work you’re doing, the uncomfortable learning you’re seeking, and the hope-filled liberation you are envisioning.

From monuments in Montgomery to learning about Quindaro to being a congregation leading the way in our district in antiracism, I am grateful for you. Thank you for saying “yes” to this calling from God. A year from now, may we be able to look back and name all of the continued work we have done that we do not yet know is coming!

“See” you Sunday for a word on God’s call to “Pray Daily,”

Pastor Lora

P.S. – Check out our Connections news! 👆We could not be more excited. Tune in Sunday to get to meet her for yourself.

10:00am Livestream on Facebook

This week we'll be looking at prayer as foundation of faithful living. Find a related daily scripture reading and reflection here on our website. We'll also begin worship with Kid's Time, so be sure they're tuned in for that!

Participate in the livestream on Facebook or watch later on St. Paul's YouTube channel. Here's a link to last week's service in case you missed it. Check out the worship guide (link below) for suggestions on how to feel more connected in worship while we're apart.

Being part of a small group working through questions about faith and life is an important part of spiritual growth. If you aren’t already part of one, this is your time! Check out all the possibilities on our website and sign up. Contact Pastor Sandra if you have questions.