I want to share an educational opportunity for you in the midst of all the racial tension that surrounds us in our nation. Several of my pastor colleagues have collaborated with one another to provide an outlet for all of us to listen, learn, act, and pray for reconciliation within our communities and in our country. We all know that sharing God’s love is of utmost importance in following the way of Jesus. Jesus tells us, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) We are a loving church and our love is most clearly seen as our words compliment our lives.

 

The session voted to join alongside many of our sister congregations in Salem Presbytery to join a 21-Day Challenge initiative entitled: Faithfully Uncomfortable. The goal of this challenge is to spend 21 days intentionally watching, reading, listening, acting, or praying that we may better understand the voices of those who are protesting racial injustice and inequity. Each day you will find a resource that will provide you with multiple options to learn and to reflect on what you hear or see. Most of these resources are easy reads or short videos, although there are some movies or podcasts that are lengthier. You get to choose what interests you. In addition, there are resources for youth and families and for children and families.

 

I’m grateful to Rev. Dr. Ernie Thompson, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian in Greensboro, for taking the lead and providing us access to their webpage with the resources available. A link is provided above that will connect you to the 21-Day Challenge on Westminster’s page. Once there, you can sign up by entering your name and your church, which will be added to a unified list of all who are participating from various congregations that are committed to this work together.

 

Participating requires us to be open minded, to hear the voices of those who stand from another vantage point – it can make us uncomfortable. But truth be told, that’s how we grow in faith. I’ve long said that when we gather to worship that God’s words to us should both provide comfort and challenge. As you know, challenge can often make us uncomfortable. That discomfort often moves us to rectify what we are lacking in our daily walk with Jesus; to be faithful. Our hope is that together we will be moved from the comforts and privilege we have, to do justice and bring healing through racial reconciliation. This challenge is really the first step of a long journey.

 

The beauty of this challenge is that there’s flexibility. You can do it on your own and at your own pace. However, if you are interested in sharing in discussion about what you are learning with others, please contact Steve Marks (steve@firstpresboone.net) and let him know by Sunday, June 21. We are committed to providing a space for small group conversation that we may learn and grow together. At the end of this challenge we may have the opportunity to join in a larger gathering of members of our sister congregations to hear from a few African American leaders and to be able to talk with them about their efforts and work. We’ll communicate more about this as things transpire. Friends, may we continue to love one another as Christ has loved and constantly loves us as we participate in this new challenge together!

 

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jeff