Let’s respond well to racial tension and injustice in our culture!  Moving and acting together has a greater power than being alone!  That is why we are gathering for four weeks to focus on this work. Beginning May 3rd we will use a UCC curriculum to gain insights about recognizing “white privilege” in our culture and society. We hope, through supportive small group discussion, to reflect and act powerfully and gracefully on this important topic going forward. Please join us!

And please sign up by Tuesday Apr 26th so that we can send you materials prior to the first conversation session on May 3rd. We are offering a Zoom session at 10am and an in-person session at 7pm in Ripley Chapel (which has air purifiers).  Both sign up options involve committing to attending all four weeks.”

Some things just stay with you. When National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman delivered her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Biden’s inauguration, I was rapt. The courage and insight conveyed by this young writer and activist was spellbinding. While offering it to you to read or re-read (better yet, listen to it here) during National Poetry Month is fitting, this challenging and hopeful message, delivered by a 22-year-old, is one for the ages. “Love becomes our legacy” is among her many poignant messages. Read “The Hill We Climb”…

Sarah Gallop, a member of the FCCW Racial Justice Team,

Judy Arnold, Will Burhans, Sarah Gallop, Jonathan Goodell, Anne Hoenicke, Jerry Mechling, Kaye Nash, Julianne Zimmerman

The Hill We Climb

When day comes we ask ourselves,
where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry,
a sea we must wade.
We’ve braved the belly of the beast,
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace,
and the norms and notions
of what just is
isn’t always just-ice.
And yet the dawn is ours
before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.
Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed
a nation that isn’t broken,
but simply unfinished.
We the successors of a country and a time
where a skinny Black girl
descended from slaves and raised by a single mother
can dream of becoming president
only to find herself reciting for one.
And yes we are far from polished.
Far from pristine.
But that doesn’t mean we are
striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge a union with purpose,
to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and
conditions of man.
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us,
but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,
we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true,
that even as we grieved, we grew,
that even as we hurt, we hoped,
that even as we tired, we tried,
that we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.
Not because we will never again know defeat,
but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
and no one shall make them afraid.
If we’re to live up to our own time,
then victory won’t lie in the blade.
But in all the bridges we’ve made,
that is the promise to glade,
the hill we climb.
If only we dare.
It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit,
it’s the past we step into
and how we repair it.
We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation
rather than share it.
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
it can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth,
in this faith we trust.
For while we have our eyes on the future,
history has its eyes on us.
This is the era of just redemption
we feared at its inception.
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs
of such a terrifying hour
but within it we found the power
to author a new chapter.
To offer hope and laughter to ourselves.
So while once we asked,
how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?
Now we assert,
How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?
We will not march back to what was,
but move to what shall be.
A country that is bruised but whole,
benevolent but bold,
fierce and free.
We will not be turned around
or interrupted by intimidation,
because we know our inaction and inertia
will be the inheritance of the next generation.
Our blunders become their burdens.
But one thing is certain,
If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy,
and change our children’s birthright.
So let us leave behind a country
better than the one we were left with.
Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest,
we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west.
We will rise from the windswept northeast,
where our forefathers first realized revolution.
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states.
We will rise from the sunbaked south.
We will rebuild, reconcile and recover.
And every known nook of our nation and
every corner called our country,
our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,
battered and beautiful.
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid,
the new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.

March 17, 2022

My son, Dave, and my wife, Betsy, were house hunting in late February.  We were looking for a small house that Dave could make an offer on in the Minneapolis area.  As we drove to our first showing Dave asked me what kind of flag was flying in the square, near the Cup Foods store.  I told him I thought it was a “Black Power” flag.

The house was lovely.  It had wonderful built ins and a bit of original stained glass in the windows.  There was a warmth to the home in its style and architecture, its expert craftsmanship, its elegance.  And there were, of course, touches of home in the decorations and the small artifacts in the bathroom and bedrooms.  The family was selling after living in the neighborhood for about four years.

We finished the showing and then drove back into the square near the Cup Foods store.  The square had memorial flowers placed to one side.  A couple of businesses were boarded up, others were open.  And then we noticed  an informal sign naming the square after George Floyd.  You could say we replaced a close up lens on our camera for a wide angle.  What a different way to search for a home!

Dave, Betsy and I felt a bit in awe of where we were.  We read more about the incident and discovered that George Floyd had been living in my son’s neighborhood but preferred hanging out in the Powerderhorn neighborhood.

The Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis is still reshaping its future.  But there is a sacred ground somewhere between the cozy home on Elliot Street and the Cup Food store with its flags and flowers.  It is a ground sacred to the ones who have loved that area … who have invested time and attention, love and anger, grace and hope in this neighborhood.

When Moses approached a burning bush in Exodus, God said “take off your shoes”!  I think God was communicating to Moses that he was not to make assumptions about what God was up to.  He was to become vulnerable to that space and time.  God was doing something new.

Sacred ground is ground with boundaries … a way of defining what is sacred and what is not.  It is a place that you enter with permission, and where you ask questions, moving in as invited.  A boundary is not a wall.  Walls may not have a door.  A boundary tends to have ways of entering and ways of leaving.  A wall separates us from others, often through fear.  A boundary lets the owner create opportunities on their terms for relationship.

I came home aware that our white privilege curriculum is all about walls of privilege, influence and fear.  But with that we are also opening a conversation about the boundaries that create relationship and hope.   Can we listen for the invitation to relationship, even while we dismantle those unholy walls?  I believe so.

Rev. Jonathan Goodell

P.s White Privilege series is coming in May

December 16, 2021

When I said that I would take a month and write something personal about my history with racism I didn’t have anything particular in mind.  I expected to write something about my thoughts and assumptions;  I thought that I didn’t have any first hand experiences to relate.  But thinking about it recently, I remembered a day when I was a sophomore in college.  I was a sociology major and in one class we did “field work”.  I was going to the South End Settlement House in Boston to spend some time with children who were there after school with very little programming.

I was assigned two young black children – around 7 or so; a boy and a girl.  There were few guidelines about what we were to do.  It was December and I thought they would like to see some Christmas decorations.  We walked up to Boylston Street – it was just twilight – and all the lights were coming on everywhere.  The kids seemed delighted with them.

Next, I decided to take them to see Santa.  This was a perfect outing when I was about their age.  So we went to Lord & Taylor’s – where I always saw Santa in New York.  Looking around, the children were overwhelmed at the array of clothes.  I could tell I was giving them a new experience, a wonderful one, I thought.  I kept telling them what a wonderful treat was in store for them.

I realized that people were noticing them.  At first I thought it was just the side of eye glance adults do when aware of children down there so as not to step on them, barely taking them in.  But I began to see that the other shoppers were taking particular notice of them.  I think part of me felt proud to be the nice white lady holding two little black hands.

When we got to the escalators, the children were astonished.  They were terrified.  They stopped and wouldn’t step on.  They had no idea what an escalator was.  I, of course, urged them to step on telling them that it was perfectly safe and actually fun.  After we watched a few shoppers go up it, I nudged them on and held onto them tightly.  I can’t remember, but I probably pushed them off at the top,  still enticing them with the promise of Santa.  They didn’t look at me or react to my words.  

We got in line for Santa behind all the white children dressed for the precious Santa picture.  I kept pointing out holiday decorations and narrating the experience the kids were having with Santa.  When we finally got to the front, Santa tried (not too hard) to get them on his lap.  The children backed away into me.  I assumed they were shy and tried to coax them.  

Eventually, we moved on and I hurried them out into what was now the night.  We made our way back to the South End and the children showed me where their apartment was and I delivered them to their mother.  I told her that we had gone to see Santa and that the kids were a little shy but that I thought they had a good time.  She said, “thank you” and pulled the kids in and closed the door.  I don’t know what she thought nor what the children were able to relate to her.

I went back to school probably not feeling triumphant or successful but also not feeling what I do today about that afternoon.  It was many, many years before I understood how oblivious I was to their experience.  I cringe, even now, telling you this story.  It wasn’t that their race meant something negative to me; it was that their race and their life experience meant nothing to me.  I suspect that I didn’t have a clue what to do with these children; that I didn’t really believe that we could play like I would have with white children; I didn’t really believe we could communicate the way I would have with white children.  In my panic at this unpreparedness I reverted to my own life, my own experience and my own desires.  

I hope that for these children this is a distant memory, if a memory at all.  I hope that if they do recall it, they amuse their friends with this story about a blundering white girl who was more lost than they were.  I would like to apologize and I would like to say thank you for the movie of that afternoon that runs in my head and teaches me a deeper lesson every time I watch it.

Rev. Judy Arnold

November is National Native American Heritage Month. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the current population of Native Americans in the United States is 6.79 million, which is about 2% of the entire population. There are 574 federally recognized tribal nations and approximately 400 non-federally recognized tribes – with varying spiritual practices, languages, economies, political structures, traditions and histories.

This November we can take the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the rich, diverse cultures, traditions, histories and important contributions of Native peoples; to call out harmful racist stereotyping; and also to appreciate the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples today!

Jon Swan, an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree tribe, a resident of Winchester and Network for Social Justice board member, put it this way, “Besides history, it’s about understanding modern-day Indian country.”

There are many resources provided by Indigenous People that we can turn to in this month and throughout the year, to enhance our knowledge and understanding.

Ideas/suggestions:

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIGENOUS MASCOTS

-13 minute TED talk by Maulian Dana, Indigenous woman from ME https://youtu.be/XVAdGXrU60w

-2 min video (appropriate for some children): https://youtu.be/mR-thOxlhvE

-8 min video (definitely for adults): https://youtu.be/ZliUl9KX4

-Less than 2 min video (good for educators): https://youtu.be/4kUeorW3r-I

-Sports Illustrated article about World Series behavior:   www.si.com/mlb/2021/10/28/atlanta-braves-tomahawk-chop-daily-cover

VISIT

The Danforth Museum has an exhibit called “Indigenous Voices.” “Contemporary Indigenous Artists are such an important part of the art world today but are often overlooked,” said Rachel Passannante, exhibit organizer. Tues.-Sun: 12-5 PM

danforthmuseum@framingham.edu

WATCH

-“Home From School: The Children of Carlisle” Children removed from their tribal homelands, sent to boarding schools and forced to assimilate to western culture and the ensuing intergenerational trauma for Native families.

-Tue (11/23 at 9 PM) GBH 2

– Wed (11/24 at 7pm) and Sat (11/27 at 1pm) GBH WORLD

READ NONFICTION

-All The Real Indians Died Out and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Dina Gilio-Whitaker

-An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States (for Young People) by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. Adapted by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese. (Recommended for teens and adults)

READ FICTION

-The Road Back to Sweetgrass by Linda LeGarde Grover

-There, There by Tommy Orange

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN BY AGE and an important resource –

Please consider following Dr. Debbie Reese, a Nambé Pueblo educator and founder of the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog for comprehensive reviews: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com. All of these books can be ordered by Winchester’s local book shop, Book Ends – https://bookendswinchester.indielite.org, or visit independent Native-owned (Louise Erdrich) book store online – https://birchbarkbooks.com

Elementary school 

-Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal

-Greet the Dawn by S.D. Nelson (and many other books by S.D. Nelson)

-We Are Water Protectors by Caroline Lindstrom and Michaela Goade

-Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Middle School

-Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorel and cover art by Marlena Myles

-The Birchbark House series and Chickadee by Louise Erdrich

-Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, graphic novel edited by Arigon Starr

High School

-Apple (Skin to the Core) by Eric Gansworth, Eel Clan Onondaga

-#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

-Marrow Thieves and Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline

Other helpful lists for children and young adults:

Best Graphic Novels – https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2018/08/best-graphic-novels-by-native-writers.html

Deconstructing Myths About Thanksgiving: http://oyate.org/index.php/resources/43-resources/thanksgiving

Best Books About Thanksgiving: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2007/11/good-books-about-thanksgiving.html

American Indian Library Association Awards List: https://ailanet.org/activities/american-indian-youth-literature-award/

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN BY AGE and an important resource –

Please consider following Dr. Debbie Reese, a Nambé Pueblo educator and founder of the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog for comprehensive reviews: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com. All of these books can be ordered by Winchester’s local book shop, Book Ends – https://bookendswinchester.indielite.org, or visit independent Native-owned (Louise Erdrich) book store online – https://birchbarkbooks.com

Elementary school 

-Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal

-Greet the Dawn by S.D. Nelson (and many other books by S.D. Nelson)

-We Are Water Protectors by Caroline Lindstrom and Michaela Goade

-Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Middle School

-Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorel and cover art by Marlena Myles

-The Birchbark House series and Chickadee by Louise Erdrich

-Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, graphic novel edited by Arigon Starr

High School

-Apple (Skin to the Core) by Eric Gansworth, Eel Clan Onondaga

-#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

-Marrow Thieves and Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline

Other helpful lists for children and young adults:

Best Graphic Novels – https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2018/08/best-graphic-novels-by-native-writers.html

Deconstructing Myths About Thanksgiving: http://oyate.org/index.php/resources/43-resources/thanksgiving

Best Books About Thanksgiving: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2007/11/good-books-about-thanksgiving.html

American Indian Library Association Awards List: https://ailanet.org/activities/american-indian-youth-literature-award/

Kaye Nash

A member of the Racial Justice Working Group: Judy Arnold, Will Burhans, Sarah Gallop, Jonathan Goodell, Anne Hoenicke, Jerry Mechling, Kaye Nash and Julianne Zimmerman.

In the first session we will focus on what Kendi is saying. In the second we will discuss where we and/or others agree or disagree with Kendi. In the third and final session we will brainstorm implications, particularly what our shared ideas should mean for us as individuals and a Christian congregation.

Our discussion will be facilitated over Zoom by Jerry Mechling . For the November 1 session, please read, re-read, or otherwise explore the Kendi book. It would also help if you signed up HERE. While advance sign-up is not required, it may help us prepare for the discussion. We look forward to meaningful sharing and discussion on important ideas.

This ongoing program is sponsored by the Outreach Ministry and the Adult Faith Exploration Ministry, with contributions from many others in our church community.

Thank you to the approximately 40 people who joined our kickoff “Racial Justice: Talk, Learn, Act” session last week. Reverend Judy Arnold spoke about the UCC’s historical role in abolitionism and its continuing role in advancing racial justice, and we offered reflections on resources that we read and watched. We also shared initial ideas on how FCCW can combat racism and protect human dignity. We encourage you to read this summary (link to attachment) of the discussion.

This is just a starting point for this critical conversation, and we look forward to continuing our dialogue. In the meantime, we invite the entire congregation to join in a collective FCCW Reads activity. The recommended book is “How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. Over the summer, we hope you will read it, think about it, and consider joining in some follow up discussions in the fall. More details to come.

With gratitude,

Adult Faith Exploration Ministry

Karen Roberts (co-chair), Laurie Roby (co-chair), Judy Arnold, Sarah Gallop, Anne Hoenicke, and Andy McKinley

Outreach Ministry

Betsy Goodell (co-chair), Janet Vaughn (co-chair), Laura Bailey, Patricia Brady, Will Burhans, Julia Daggett, Leonore Eforo, Sarah Girotti, Lisa Loughlin, and Lauren Seibold

The Adult Faith Exploration Ministry and the Outreach Ministry have teamed up to lead a series of events for our church community called Racial Justice: Talk, Learn, Act. The first event is taking place this Thursday 6/18 from 7 to 8 PM on Zoom.

At this session — on the eve of Juneteenth — we will hear from our ministers about the UCC’s historical role in abolitionism and its continuing role in advancing racial justice. Look for the Zoom invitation in Thursday’s regular e-mail blast.

In advance of the meeting, each participant is invited to read/watch one or several selections from our growing list of resources (feel free to send us recommended resources that aren’t already on our list). At the meeting, we’ll invite participants to 1) briefly reflect on what they read/watched and 2) offer one idea of what FCCW can do to combat racism and protect human dignity. Attendees can share their thoughts verbally or through the chat function. We will compile all of those ideas and get them back out to the congregation.

After this event, we’ll introduce a FCCW Reads activity for the summer, to be followed by small group dialogue in the fall.

With gratitude,

Adult Faith Exploration Ministry
Karen Roberts (co-chair), Laurie Roby (co-chair), Judy Arnold, Sarah Gallop, Anne Hoenicke, and Andy McKinley

Outreach Ministry
Betsy Goodell (chair), Laura Bailey, Patricia Brady, Will Burhans, Julia Daggett, Leonore Eforo, Sarah Girotti, Lisa Loughlin, Lauren Seibold, and Janet Vaughn