Taking a Stand. . . Moving Forward: July 8th and August 12th
If you want to find out what churches and religious communities are doing in Charlottesville this summer, I invite you to check out the Charlottesville Clergy Collective (http://www.cvilleclergycollective.org/). In its vision statement, “the CCC seeks to be a God-centered faith community of prayer, solidarity, and impact within the Charlottesville-Albemarle Region of Central Virginia.” For last several months, I have been attending breakfast meetings with clergy and lay leaders, both black and white, for purpose of befriending new colleagues in ministry across the religious spectrum as well as learning first-hand about the racial challenges in Charlottesville.
In light of the July 8th KKK rally in Justice Park and another rally scheduled for August 12th, the CCC, in coordination with the city and other groups, has been planning a faith-based response to these events which promote hatred and division in our community. Here’s what we have planned so far for Saturday, July 8th:
- 7:00 am to 2:45 pm and 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm
Presence at Justice Park - Members of the CCC and any who wish to join will take hour-long shifts in Justice Park to pray, sing, anoint, hang folded cranes, educate & dialogue
- 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Hospitality Safe Space at First United Methodist Church (FUMC)
FUMC is open for refreshment, but also prayer/music/dialogue/training for those who wish to join witness at Justice Park at 2:45 pm
I also encourage you to check out events at the Jefferson School http://jeffschoolheritagecenter.org/.
- 9 to 9:30 am – Outdoor meditation led by Common Grounds
- 9:30 to 10 am – Outdoor open mic featuring various choirs and youth
- 10 to 11 am – Charlene Green leads discussion of history of various ethnic groups in Cville and presentations made by leaders of these groups
11 to 12 pm – Two half-hour breakout sessions in various rooms in HC and other areas to answer questions of “Why Should We Care?” Topics include: immigration issues, Black Lives Matter, and how to deal with stress in felt in today’s climate.
As events on July 8th and August 12th develop around town and churches come together to stand against hatred and fear, may we, as God’s precious children, come together and pray for Christ’s unsurpassable peace to fall afresh on Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Blessings, Ken.