Over the last growing number of years, I (Nichelle) have been learning what it means to be a member of a community. To be one of many, to see the whole rather than the individual parts, to be the Church and the Body of Christ rather than just one member of the church. It has been one way to de-center myself from the story, and to develop eyes to see that while I am loved by Christ, so is everyone in the Body, the community, the city, the world. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. I am not the focus of God's love story, but WE are. Together.

The community that I am part of is bigger than Union, my neighborhood, or even Seattle. It crosses boundaries, country and state lines, skin color, and economic, education, and racial demographics. I am part of a community that is grieving the unjust deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd (and the continual miscarriages of justice refusing to hold officers accountable), a community that is seeking refuge and a safe harbor from political and social terrors, a community that is experiencing the devastation of climate change, and I am part of a community that perpetuates oppression and a community that suffers under that same oppression. Their pain is my pain, for in Christ we are One Body. "For God so loved the world..."

As this election season looms before us, I am repeatedly reminding myself of this. This community is diverse. It is made up of Democrats and Republicans, Black, brown, and white people, Christians and non-Christians, Mid-Westerners, Southerners, East Coasters, and Pacific Northwesterners. There are as many different ideas as there are people in this community, but we, together, are loved by a God that was willing to give His one and only Son so that we would not perish but have eternal life. If He loves us that much, how can I show love for us? "For God so loved the world..."

At the start of Luke 4, Jesus is in the wilderness for 40 days where he is tempted by the devil with power. Jesus withstands the devil's temptation, and in the following story, Jesus returns to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" where we next see him preaching at the synagogue in Nazareth. Having just been tempted to have all the power and authority in the world, the next teaching by Jesus is this:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus shows us that power and authority is irrelevant to the heart of God, rather God is concerned with justice for the poor and oppressed, healing and restoration for those that have endured pain and marginalization, and proclaiming hope. The world that He so loved includes us all, especially the people often relegated to the margins, ostracized from society for various reasons, living without a security net. Looking at this passage through the lenses of 2020, I wonder what would be the good news to the poor today? Affordable healthcare? Mental health services, affordable housing, a living wage? What would freedom for the prisoners look like? A criminal justice system that seeks reformation rather than perpetuates mass incarceration? Eliminating the inequitable bail system that disproportionately impacts the poor and people of color? And who are the oppressed and how could we set them free? Could it be the Black and Native American communities, who have experienced oppression from the inception of the United States? Communities that are crying out, asking to be seen, heard and believed when they share their daily existence with racism, violence, and economic disadvantages? Could freedom for the oppressed look like reducing over-policing, eliminating the school-to-prison pipeline, confronting the implicit bias that says Black people are dangerous, and ensuring that every person has the right to vote? "For God so loved the world..."

How we love our community and world will look different for each of us. But Jesus provides us the lens and the foundation on which we can view building relationships, advocating, marching, volunteering, and voting. In this current moment, voting is so important. PLEASE VOTE. It is a privilege and right that we are granted to speak into our community, to clarify who and what is important, and to participate in making our society a more just place. Jesus has shown us who is important to the heart of God. Let us vote through the lens that He provides, voting for the poor, the prisoner, the blind, and the oppressed. "For God so loved the world..."

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Things to consider when voting with a community lens:

Do the people being voted into power represent the diverse community they are representing? Voting for a person of color or woman will create space for diversity, and provide opportunities to shape policies that fit communities better.
Study the candidates’ positions and viewpoints on issues of social justice (to include voting rights, climate change, immigration reform, gender equity, school-to-prison pipeline, justice reform, etc.)
When voting on a community referendum, consider the impact of that bill on the families living in South Seattle. Talk to people that look different from you and hear their opinion, and/or read up on the subject in the South Sound Emerald.
Do you feel confused about terminology like "defund the police"? Learn more about it (here is a video), and listen to people from communities of color talk about why this is important (listen to this podcast, Seattle Now: Trusting the Police).

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LEARN

Learn about the impact that COVID and systemic racism are having on food insecurity here in Seattle "Food Insecurity spikes sharply among Black and Hispanic families"
Join Foxy and Jason Davison in their Love Not Fear discussion group, October 17th @ 3PM, where they will be taking a deeper dive into incarceration through a panel with three youth who are overcoming incarceration. Register here.

ADVOCATE

With many kids attending school virtually this year, we need to advocate to the USDA to ensure kids have access to healthy meals throughout the school year 2020-21. Take action here.

ACT

Register to vote! You must be registered by October 26th, register here. Vote early to make sure your voice counts.
Join Union tomorrow, Saturday September 26th at 10AM, for a time to pray for our community and particularly for justice to reign. Zoom link here.
Donate to the CD Housing Project / Barbara Jean Foundation, and help to provide affordable housing for families in the Central District by off-setting their housing costs for rent and utilities.
Food insecurity is only increasing! Please donate your time or money to your local food bank, or join the Union burrito-rolling team on Saturdays. Contact Adrienne for additional details.

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Truth & Justice Studio MISSION STATEMENT :: Truth & Justice creates space to educate and mobilize people by lifting up marginalized voices as catalyst for social change. We are a community within Union Church in Seattle, WA.