Dear First U,
As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, many people are holding their breath, concerned about the possibility of continued right-wing violence. Security measures are ramped up in Washington D.C., as well as in state capitols across the land. There is even reason to believe that liberal churches such as our own are potential targets of further terrorism.
Despite these concerns, we should not allow them to overshadow the spirit of renewal and hope. Officials in our legislative and executive branches who share our values of justice, democracy, equity and world community have won the race! While there is much work to be done to heal our ailing nation, and while there are real tensions about continued violence, this should be a time of celebration and of savoring the moment.
And so, let us begin our celebration today as we remember Dr. King and the myriad of gifts that he brought to us. May his observation that
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension;
it is the presence of justice“
ring truer than ever and be an energizing rallying cry. I hope that you are able to take a moment to ponder the light that Dr. King was and to recognize the power of your own potential as an individual and as part of a vibrant faith community, in order to make a real difference in a world that needed Martin’s voice then, and needs yours now.
In faith and solidarity,
Lori |
