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| Jim is on vacation with his family this week. A reflection will return next week. In the meantime, please consider contributing to the Burned Churches Fund. Would you take up an offering at your church this week? Let us know by clicking on the button below.
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| | Ending the Isolation–A Statement from the Church of the Brethren Office of Public Witness on the Recent Violence Against Black Churches
The horrific violence at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina is not an isolated incident. As Jelani Cobb states in his recent New Yorker article, “Even if [Dylann Roof] acted by himself, he was not alone” and the recent burning of 6 predominantly black churches underscores the systemic violence and racism that our black brothers and sisters have always faced in America. Burning of black churches has been an ongoing practice since the Civil War intended to terrorize black communities and leaders.
When black lives and churches are faced with an increased danger, they often feel isolated from the wider, whiter community. While our denomination is predominately white, we are still called to stand in faith and solidarity with all our brothers and sisters in Christ –especially those who persecuted.
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| US Muslim groups launch fundraiser to help rebuild burned black churches
A coalition of Muslim groups has launched an online fundraiser to help rebuild predominantly African-American churches damaged in a recent spate of fires across the South.
At least eight churches have suffered fire damage since a shooting on June 17 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, left nine black parishioners dead.
The church burnings took place within just 10 days of one another, and three are being investigated as possible arson cases.
“To many, it is clear that these are attacks on black culture, black religion and black lives,” the coalition wrote on the campaign’s LaunchGood page. |
| | | Confessions of a white Southerner
As I sit in my office at the United Methodist Building June 26 I can hear in my right ear people singing as they celebrate the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to allow gay marriage to become the law of the land in all 50 states.
In my left ear, I can hear a TV in another office showing the funeral service of the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of the nine victims of the massacre at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.
Both in the same day, happening at the same time.
The world is moving quickly. Life is changing. And who would believe that South Carolina is even considering removing the Confederate flag from a memorial in front of its Capitol Building?
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| | | “Come and See”: Taking Responsibility for Racial Biases
(Deontez Wimbley is the NCC's summer intern. We are deeply appreciative of his work and witness.)
Like everyone, I am guilty of having biases about people I do not know, but I want to share a story of a time when I was the victim of people having biases against me. At my current place of residence in Washington, DC, there are no sufficient washing and drying units I can use to clean my clothes. One day I decided to leave directly after work and go to a laundromat. I placed my laundry in a duffle bag and I put a book in my book bag for me to read while the clothes washed. Upon arrival to the laundromat the store owner informed me I have to use cash and the nearest ATM is in a CVS down the street. |
| | | Ecumenical Opportunities:
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office is seeking a full-time Communications Coordinator. The Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation coordinates social justice ministry and advocacy efforts in the United States of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on behalf of the interests of the poor and abandoned in the U.S. and 65 countries where the Oblates are in mission.
The Communications Coordinator assists in developing and implements the organization’s communications and outreach strategy. The communications coordinator will ensure that all Oblates JPIC communications; website, print, social media, event resources reflect and support the Missionary Oblates JPIC strategic mission and goals. Communications Coordinator will report to the JPIC Director and the Associate Director.
The Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) is seeking nominations for its 2015 Nsedu Obot Witherspoon (NOW) Youth Leadership Award! CEHN (www.cehn.org) is a nonprofit located in Washington, DC, whose mission is to protect the developing child from environmental health hazards and promote a healthier environment. This award is an annual award created in 2012 that honors youths for their exceptional environmental leadership. Please consider nominating (nominations must come from non-family members) young leaders ages 12-18 who are involved and committed to environmental health, participate in community action, and have strong leadership skills. This award will be presented at CEHN’s 10th Annual Child Health Advocate Award Reception in Washington, DC in November 2015. Visit http://www.cehn.org/NOWaward for more information, to see a list of previous awardees and to fill out the nomination form. We look forward to receiving your nominations, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We would appreciate your help spreading the word about this call for nominations via email, social media, and other communications. Nominations are due by 4pm EDT on July 10th, 2015.
World Student Christian Federation seeks a creative, innovative, dynamic and energetic person to fill the position of Communication Campaign Coordinator for eight months starting in September 2015. Work location: Anywhere in Canada and the US, with a preference for New York City. Click here to apply.
Justice Fellowship (JF), part of Prison Fellowship Ministries, advocates for the reform of the justice system so communities are safer, victims are respected and lives are transformed. Our growing team is seeking an Advocacy Volunteer Coordinator in our Lansdowne, VA office. For more information, click here. |
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