The Cover-Ups & Dismantling Racism

Good Morning Church Family and Online Community,

I pray you are well and blessed on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Today, we remember a man whose life was given so that all would experience the love of God and that equality would reign upon all. Martin Luther King once said, "If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say...I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say, on that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity." May we, as followers of Jesus Christ, strive to live what King exemplified.

As we continued into chapter two of Esther, we focused on the "cover-ups" of King Ahasuerus and of Mordecai and Esther. King Ahasuerus tried to cover up the fact that he had Vashti killed and Esther covered up her faith as a Jew. We find ourselves in the same boat so often when we cover up things that may not "further" us or we try to cover up things that we are ashamed of. We cover-up our wrongs and in the end, have created so many falsehoods, that we don't even know what is truth or lie. Proverbs 28:13 calls us to "You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you."

Our message also took us into one area of life where we have tried to cover up, that of racism. Some may say racism is a thing of the past, but in reality, here in Western Pa, it is prevalent. Here the words of one of our church members as they posted an experience they had this week, yes, this week: (This person is a manager of a local store) "This guy literally came into my store telling me to call the police because a man was speaking Spanish outside of my store and he looks "suspicious"...dude are you serious?!?!?! Racism is alive and well...it blows my mind every time...nothing upsets me more than stuff like this..."

The Western PA Annual Conference has five areas of focus, which one focuses on dismantling racism:
(1) Developing Principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.  The church must recruit young people for ministry and provide them with the skills necessary to be effective in this new time of opportunity.  That includes women and people of color the world over.  Similarly, we must offer leadership training for Lay people who are in ministry in countless ways.

(2) Creating new places for new people by starting new congregations and renewing existing ones.  If we are to remain faithful to our commitment to transform the world, we will reach out with genuine hospitality to people wherever they are.  We will make them feel welcome as we start new faith communities, seek to renew existing ones and inspire faithful discipleship.

(3) Engaging in ministry with the poor.  As an expression of our discipleship, United Methodists seek to alleviate conditions that undermine quality of life and limit the opportunity to flourish as we believe God intends for all.  As with John Wesley, we seek to change conditions that are unjust, alienating and disempowering.  We engage in ministry with the poor, and in this, we especially want to reach out to protect children.

(4) Stamping out killer diseases by improving health globally.  Conditions of poverty cause illness and death.  The lack of access to doctors, nurses, medications and appropriate facilities is deadly, especially among those who live in conditions of poverty.  But the diseases of poverty are not inevitable. We believe the people of the United Methodist Church can play a significant role in educating others about diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, and treating and preventing their devastating effects.

(5) Dismantling racism.  We are committed to creating a culture of inclusiveness.  The reality of racism keeps many persons way from fellowship with us.  We are richer with diversity and we will continue to find ways to witness with full inclusion and the embracing of all our sisters and brothers of color.

Racism is wrong because it separates us from God and from each other. Racism is wrong because it makes us blind to the reality of people's suffering and perpetuates racist attitudes and practices.
May we truly be in a spirit of prayer as we strive to bring unity as the church to all people, showing the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Church, have a blessed week. It is an honor to serve and lead as your pastor.

P.S. on lighter note, I shared about "covering-up" our son, Aaron's haircut at the age of four. Some saw a picture, here's the damage that was done! Nothing like taking it upon yourself to cut your own hair! He thought dad's beard trimmer was a cool toy!

Our 4 year old Aaron with his new haircut!