MCC of the Gentle Shepherd

Jun. 18, 2020: From the Moderator of MCC

On 1st January, 1863, American President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared “that all persons held as slaves”….“are, and henceforward shall be free.” Today, this declaration would have been instantly carried by every news channel and social media platform. The life changing news of freedom for those who had been enslaved and its wider impact on the economy, on society and so many other things would have been analysed, commented on, debated and dissected. Think for a moment of the news channels where you are. Think about how this news would be treated today. Think about whose opinion would be sought and valued, who would not be heard or not be taken seriously. Think of who would be portrayed as victor and as victim.

Around the world at the moment, we are hearing stories of those who are suffering injustice, violence and death because of the colour of their skin. The global uprising against this has given new energy to a long battle. For some, there may be a glimmer of hope that this is the beginning of a new day, that there is a shift, enough momentum perhaps to move the world closer to being a place of race equity, where

“one’s race identity has no influence on how one fares in society”.
(from “Awake to Woke to Work” by Equity in the Center).

These days we know instantly what is going on around the world in support of Black Lives Matter, because of the amazing technological advancements that have been made. Life was not always this way.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our world is confronted, once again, with the ills of systemic racism and white supremacy. Perhaps we ought to pause a moment and let that sink in—and as the representative from the Floyd Family said, stop and take a breath. Take a breath and consider how we as people of faith are called to respond during these trying times.

COVID-19 has altered the rhythm of our lives. We are no longer holding in-person worship and most local Pride parades have been cancelled for 2020. Yet, just as we know the church is not the building, neither is Pride simply a parade. Pride is the people—God’s fiery rainbow of diversity.

This year for Pride we take a breath, and then commit ourselves to renewing our commitments to justice, equity, and compassion. It may be an uncertain world, but God stands on the side of those fighting for a more just and equitable world. God has shown us, again and again, love will always win in the end.

In the words of Bayard Rustin, an openly gay African American who was the organizer of the great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August, 1963:

If we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone in the process of building this society. If we desire a society that is democratic, then democracy must become a means as well as an end.

If we want to do away with the injustice to gays it will not be done because we get rid of the injustice to gays. It will be done because we are forwarding the effort for the elimination of injustice to all. And we will win the rights for gays, or blacks, or Hispanics, or women within the context of whether we are fighting for all.

So, let’s take a stand for George Floyd and all victims of systemic inequities. Let’s take a stand for all of our people who have been the undeserving recipients of racism, white supremacy, homophobia and transphobia. Let’s take a stand and say loudly and proudly we will not rest until these inequities are eradicated and justice prevails. Amen.

In Christ,
Rev. Elder Ines-Paul Baumann
Rev. Elder Pat Bumgardner
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Rev. Elder Tony Freeman
Rev Elder Héctor Gutiérrez
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Elder Nancy Maxwell
Rev. Elder Margarita Sánchez De León