"[I] find that the Lectionary can be eerily timely. Tomorrow's chosen gospel text is the Good Samaritan."A Call to Prayer
-Thomas Winslow Harris, alumnus
"Outraged. . . and mourning"
-Anne Joh, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
"Tonight we see (again) that our justice system does not value the lives of young African Americans. I do. So from this day forth, I propose a new campaign. As a white person with undeserved privilege, I want to be available to help. Should you need a walk home, I will walk with you. Even if the protection you need is from officers of the system itself. Let us come together to make safe neighborhoods where our teenagers can walk home without being shot for the color of their skin."
-Audrey Krumbach, alumna
"Listening in church to see if the gospel is preached today."
-James Poling, Professor Emeritus
"The world won't get no better if we just let it be. The world won't get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me."
-Reginald Blount, Assistant Professor of Formation,
Youth, and Culture, quoting lyrics from Wake Up Everybody
"There is a Trayvon Martin in your service of worship today. There is a George Zimmerman in your service of worship today. Both pray 'in Jesus' name.'"
-Shonda Nicole Gladden, alumna
"I won't be posting a picture of myself in a hoodie because the truth is, in our racist society, white men in hoodies are never coded as a threat. Ask Justin Bieber and Bill Belichick. Trayvon Martin wasn't killed for wearing a hoodie, he was killed for being a young black man. That's what was 'threatening' about him."
-Chris Baker, current Ph.D. student
"The crucial point to remember is that it is not only Black people who grieve tonight. Certainly our pain is made acute by the history we have lived as a people. We cannot and should not deny that. Ours is a righteous anger born of this story too often told. We must remember that there are many of our white sisters and brothers who grieve with us in their way. Do not make them pay for the evil in this land, and do not forget that God sends allies to the people as they trudge through the wilderness. Melchizidek to name but one. By the same token people of good will of all colors never forget that while you may understand our pain, you can never know our pain. This was the mistake that Job's friends made. It may well be enough to stand with people in their pain and by your presence communicate more than your words ever can. To us all, this land, this world belongs to us ALL; not just the ones with malice and hate in their hearts. So, we must fight together against injustice anywhere, anytime. Do not coddle the unjust, neither be concerned of their feelings at the expense of those who suffer because of their actions, nor seek their favor foolishly believing they will change. Grieve with those who grieve because of injustice, stand with those who seek to bind up their broken hearts because of dreams shattered again, and again. And know, with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your mind that God will be with you because it is, as it ever has been that hears the cry of God's people sorely oppressed, and strengthens the last and the least and any who stand with them in the light of God's justice, grace, and mercy. Amen."
-Stephen Ray, Neal F. and Ila A. Fisher
Professor of Systematic Theology
Beginning Monday afternoon (1 p.m.) you'll find a gray Garrett-Evangelical hoodie and some sharpies in the chancel area of the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful. You'll also find candles. For those mourning, questioning, hurting, and in need of prayer we invite you to write or draw on the hoodie and to light a candle in memory of Trayvon Martin and all of those who have been affected by gun violence. If you are unable to be on campus this week and would like to offer your own prayer or thoughts please feel free to do so in the comments section of this blog.
Rest in peace Trayvon Martin and God be with the Martin's, the Zimmerman's, our nation, and the world.
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