Dear Union family,
Below is a reflection by Nichelle, a prayer for this upcoming election, and ways to remain engaged and prayerful in this uncertain and challenging time.
Pressing towards justice.
A Reflection
There is no denying that we are living through one of the most challenging times of the last 100 years. The prolonged period of quarantine and isolation related to the pandemic, the social unrest, the changing climate and wildfires, and the uncertainty around the upcoming election is a recipe for anxiety and fear. I feel it. My chest is tight. It feels hard to take a deep breath. I'm a little edgier and testier with my kids and husband. My thoughts are racing and weird dreams plague my sleep. How are you doing? Are you feeling this time viscerally in your body?
This morning I picked up my phone and casually started to browse the news, and came across articles that immediately increased my anxiety. My heart began racing, and my stomach clenched up tightly. I practically threw my phone down, and had this realization that I need to approach this time in a different manner. Constantly marinating in the media and shocking headlines is only contributing to my anxiety. Do I unplug for the foreseeable future? Head to the mountains? Develop my family's escape plan if everything goes sideways next week? I find myself trying to escape, forget, or pretend this isn't happening. And then I feel God calling. Do you feel God calling? Most of the time I would say I hear God calling, but as those words appeared on the screen, I realized there was truth in those words. In those same parts of my body that feel anxiety, there is a deep feeling of God's presence, a knowing that God is calling me to be present in my body, and in my relationships, and in my community. This is not the time to escape, but rather to be seeking God's justice and wholeness and restoration.
Sometimes, actually often, I don't really know what is next after experiencing God's calling. So I took time over the last couple of days to seek wisdom from leaders that are actively seeking God's justice, wholeness, and redemption. I looked on Facebook and Instagram, and the blogs and websites of people like Austin Channing Brown, Lisa Sharon Harper, Eugene Cho, Brenda Salter McNeil, Bryan Stevenson, and Dr. John M. Perkins. I was blessed beyond measure as I perused their sites. This anxiety and fear that I feel? We are all feeling it, I am not alone. But more than that I was encouraged and reminded of the determination and commitment to be seeking God's justice every day, regardless of what news story is grabbing the headlines today or next week.
How are you feeling the presence of God right now? What has been an encouragement for you to continue seeking God's justice? We would love for you to share with the Union family!
A Prayer from Bread for the World
Dear God, our Creator, through our elected leaders and our government, you sustain all you have made.
We pray especially for people who are seeking election to political office in our country. Grant them integrity and wisdom to focus on matters that strengthen our government and protect the most vulnerable among us.
Give us courage to challenge candidates to address issues of hunger and poverty. As we prepare to cast our votes, may we be guided by your vision of justice and mercy.
In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Opportunities to learn, advocate and act. This is a long list, so just choose one or a few things that you can realistically do!
LEARN
Stretch your understanding of God's love by participating in a Bible study led by Civil Rights and Social Justice icon Dr. John M. Perkins. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage to find 25 different studies with various Christian leaders.
Join Foxy and Jason Davison in the next Love Not Fear discussion group on December 5 @ 3PM where they will be discussing HOUSING. In preparation, read The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein. Register here.
Sign up to receive the upcoming T&J Advent series and hear the stories of how those in our community are wrestling with justice.
Save the date! Union will be hosting a socially distanced screening of "12 Angry Men" and a time of discussion about race and equity on November 22nd @ 4PM.
ADVOCATE
Sign your name to this petition that asks the 2020 presidential and congressional candidates to commit to protecting and boosting anti-hunger programs so that all families have enough to eat during this crisis.
Send candidates and elected officials emails, letters or other correspondence and tell them how you would like to see them pursuing justice in their work.
ACT
Be sure to vote by November 3rd @ 8PM! Look here for your nearest ballot drop box in King County.
Join Union in Prayer for Racial Justice on Saturday November 21st @ 10AM.
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 (Sunday this week). Contact Adrienne for additional details.
Tutoring is available at 415 every weekday. Contact Kaeli if you would like to be a tutor/mentor or have a child that could benefit from a 1:1 connection.
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.