Dear Middle Family,
As I stood in Washington Square Park's crowd of thousands last night, I was reminded that my soul needs spiritual community like my body needs blood.
The rally was organized by the New York Chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations. The NYC Public Advocate, Letitia James, asked us to raise the lights on our phones and reminded us that we were light in these times.
As we did,
I couldn't see where the light ended, because I couldn't see where the crowd ended.
The New York City Council Speaker, the Controller and City Council members all vowed to resist Trumps recent executive orders to build walls, turn away refugees, and ban our Muslim sisters and brothers.
Earlier in the day, Jacqui (who is on vacation) and I were both on a call with faith leaders from around the country organizing resistance about the president's new orders, and I could feel my whole body sink.
But to be in the crowd of thousands last night was to be in a spiritual community.
On our conference call, it was stressed that calls to our federal senators and congressmen are needed now. Phone calls are more effective than social media. So we invite you to join the resistance.
1.
Click here to get the phone numbers to your federal senators and representatives.
Here's a possible script:
My name is _________. As a person of faith, I am in opposition to President Trump's executive orders on the building a wall with Mexico, a ban on Muslims, and his threats to Affordable Care Act. It is central to our moral and faith values to provide sanctuary to refugees, hospitality to the stranger, and healing for all of us. (Additional resources
here.)
2. This Sunday morning, allow your spirit to be nourished as we sing and pray and hear a Word from Lynn Min on Pan-Asian Sunday (preview the sermon in That'll Preach!). Forty percent of New Yorkers are immigrants. We celebrate our diversity and the spiritual strength found in the faith of our ancestors.
3. Later this Sunday at 5 pm, meet with our interfaith neighbors and show our local Muslim sisters and brothers your support at our annual Spiritual Sounds concert at St. March Church in-the-Bowery. The Jerriese Johnson gospel choir will sing.
Remember that we have been here before.
Not in our lifetimes. But the policies and attention about questioning "illegal" voting, immigration and a Muslim ban are all the race card.
Middle Church, we will continue to organize our light as we resist and work for the world we seek. Hope to see you, Sunday, so our spirits may be lifted together as we continue our long march toward freedom.
Christina
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| The Long Road to Freedom :: Jan 22 |
