Please join our voices by adding yours to the ongoing conversation regarding the Insurrection and the Inauguration of the Biden Administration.
A Challenge
Write 3-6 sentences on what you felt/thought when you watched the events on January 6, January 20th and/or your hope for the future of America.
Ron Davis-Great Lakes
I was glued to the t.v. screen over the past week. On one hand, I found myself wondering where the law enforcement officers were at as the events unfolded—those who were there when the Black Lives Matter people were protesting over the summer. On the other, as a pastor, I found myself grieving about the spiritual health of America. I do wonder what we as chaplains, pastors, teachers and spiritual directors are to be doing at this time to help this generation draw closer to God and to one another. I know the Holy One doesn’t like what is going on in America.
Tom Stricker-Great Lakes
This was the most horrible incident I can remember in my lifetime or in the history of the USA. The event hurt ALL of us no matter your beliefs. It is my prayer that this can be a “Holy Instant’ in which senators, representatives and we the people of the USA find ourselves in a fox hole together and we can now begin to see each other as children of God and begin to listen to each other and can communicate for the good of all. Let those who have eyes… ears….
I believe last week will change all of America. The rioters and the contrast of the response was crushing, and world changing.
Tressalyn Reed-Great Lakes
As I watched with horror the events unfolding on tv, I also was bearing witness to the experiences of my husband, an African-American Veteran. He cried. I was swallowed in the grief and horror that such distinct traits of his own story – being Black and being one who served for the sanctity of our democracy – disvalued and mocked with such hate. Last week forever changed our lives.
Diane Dougherty-Southern
I believe FCM would oppose any movement that supports dominance in any form and its members would condemn all avenues that promoted this insurrection of our democratic society.
I believe that we as members of FCM understand that living in an expanding democracy includes the expanding call and challenge of understanding that the demands of living Christ's message of inclusion and non violence includes finding new frameworks through with democratic practices embedded in the US Constitution can be best expressed in our religious traditions.
Shelley Gilchrest- Mountains and Plains
If FCM believes a sense of Belonging is vital to our personal and communal growth, The sedition demonstrated at the Capitol sought to create division and in a violent manner. It must be condemned.
If FCM seeks to bestow the compassion of Beatitudes to all, and We believe we are all created in the image of God then everyone is our neighbor deserving of our love and respect.
IF FCM encourages Mindful Living at all levels of our society, then what we say or do has consequences. OUR words have power and our language must reflect that potency. We claim inclusion and equality for all in American society.