Renounce, Reject, Repudiate

All of us at Park Avenue are horrified by the shooting last weekend in Buffalo, NY. The white supremacist act of terrorism, which targeted and killed ten Black lives at the Tops grocery store, demonstrates the evil of racism and hate that grips our society. We at Park Avenue UMC grieve the victims, denounce the evil of white supremacy and racism, and stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters in Buffalo and here. 

As a United Methodist Church and people of faith, it’s important to remember that in our baptismal vows, we accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. We must acknowledge that racism and acts of hatred are evil. More than acknowledging, as followers of Jesus, we must renounce it, reject it, repudiate it, and do everything we can individually and communally to advocate for and live into the counter-narrative of the kingdom of God. These evil forces are a reality in communities and, sadly, in churches. There is nothing Christ-like about white supremacist ideology. 

As we process the Buffalo Massacre, one of the ways you can get involved is to turn your anger and grief into advocating for policy changes that combat hate. You may be familiar with the Communities Combating Hate Coalition, which works to end hate in Minnesota. It’s a good place to start to use your voice for change. The stated purpose of the Coalition is to “advocate for policy change to make Minnesota safe for all Minnesotans, no exceptions.” 

Here’s another step to take. In July, I will be facilitating four 90-minute sessions called Vital Conversations about Racism: White people talking to white people. Beginning on Wednesday, July 13, and continuing weekly to August 3, we will meet weekly at the church from 6:30 – 8 p.m. 

Why “white people talking to white people” about the evil of racism? My intention is not to exclude anyone but rather practice what a friend said to me years ago. “White folk need to do their own work and not rely on people like me from the Black community to do it for them.” He’s right. White folks have work to do. A lot of work. 

You’ll be hearing more about this in the coming weeks, but if you’re interested, contactt me by clicking here.

An overview of the four-week series looks like this: 

If you’d like to do a little preparation, read Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s book, What Does it Mean to Be White: Developing White Racial Literacy. And if podcasts are your thing, you can prepare by listening to the Scene on Radio series, “Seeing White.” Here’s the link to information about the series. 

Let me close by asking you to join me in this prayer of lament: 

Jesus, we come before you with heavy hearts.
We lament that racial injustice is so tragically common in our society.
We lament that precious lives are lost because of the evil of racism and acts of hate.
We lament the prejudice, violence, and racism that mocks your teachings.
We lament that the Church has too often stayed silent in the face of racism.
We lament that racial justice has become polarizing in our society.
We lament that some church leaders have spoken foolish and hateful words which support the systemic racism that is a cancer to our world. Forgive us, oh Lord, for our complicity in these injustices. Please open our ears to listen and our hearts to hear. And close the mouths of those who would speak foolishness. 
Lord Jesus, we need you in this time of racial anxiety. 

— Adapted from “A Prayer for This Time of Race Injustice, Violence, and Trauma,” June 2, 2020. 

Breathe love,

Pastor Gregg

P.S. On Friday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to noon, we have our monthly free food distribution in the parking lot. If you or someone you know could benefit from free groceries like onions, milk, oranges, cheese, potatoes, pinto beans, and other items, come by on Friday.  Free COVID-test kits will be available, too. Everyone is welcome – no zip code or income requirements or ID needed. You may pick up groceries for yourself or a friend or neighbor.