Don’t Look Away
FRIDAY CONTEMPLATION: Don’t turn away.
Have you ever turned away from something that was painful to see or take in? Most of us have. In truth, most of us want to turn away from our history’s painful past. In my experience, for God to transform the dark and destructive, it must be acknowledged. The scripture backs this up.
The above picture was taken last Tuesday just a few moments after the unveiling of a historic memorial memorializing Robert Johnson along the Riverwalk. Mr. Johnson and 4 other victims were lynched in Hillsborough County. A difficult truth. Read the article here. Our Justice Team participated to make it a reality with community leaders. We gathered the soil at the place Mr. Johnson was believed to be killed and hosted a worship gathering at The Portico. We organized a trip to deliver the soil and visit the Equal Justice Initiative and The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. 40 people took the pilgrimage. The impact of all this work is profound. I’ve been changed by it.
THE WORK CONTINUES:
As we look and acknowledge the past, it enables us to move forward… together. Our Justice Team is hosting HOPE “House Meeting” Listening Sessions. Save the date, plan to attend, and invite someone who you know cares about things like affordable housing, criminal justice, and addiction and mental health. The “house meetings” surface community problems for research and action; and invites new people to become a part of the justice ministry.
- September 18, 10:45 a.m., Hyde Park United Methodist
- September 25, 11:30 a.m., The Portico (with lunch!)
1001 Gathering is 1 week away.
Next Sunday is the weekly launch of The 1001 Gathering. I am so pumped for it! Hope to see you then! If you are interested in being a part of this life changing community. Join us: email me.
For more info on upcoming events – https://theportico.org/events/.