New Book Study Beginning November 29!
Greetings, Fremont Family:
Today, I would like to devote my Pastor’s weekly email to our on-going conversation about racial reconciliation. One of the most significant gifts to me personally in my appointment to Fremont UMC has been the opportunity to step more deeply into intentional conversations about race with you as a faith community. These conversations are beautiful. These conversations are challenging. These conversations are healing and transformational. I feel the Spirit of God moving in them powerfully.
If 2020 has taught me anything, I believe it has taught me about the destructiveness of on-going denial (if we don’t concede, then it isn’t true!?!). The global pandemic has unmasked gaping disparities in the impact of COVID-19. Black and Brown communities early on were hit hard with infection rates and economic hardship at disproportionate rates. The murder of George Floyd proved what our Black siblings had been saying all along, that is, the terror of police brutality against them is real. The invitation we are being given again and again is: Listen.
Sunday, November 29, marks the beginning of the season of Advent. Advent reminds us as a people of God to “keep awake” to the coming of the Messiah. This “Prince of Peace” will herald the good news that God is with us (Emmanuel). This vulnerable child, born into poverty and displacement, will be the Light that shines in the darkness. By his light, we will see light. Advent is our season of preparation for the birth of God into our midst. How will we prepare him room?
Join me on Sunday afternoons, beginning November 29, from 1:00 to 2:30pm, to read together, “I Bring the Voices of My People: A Womanist Vision for Racial Reconciliation” by Chanequa Walker-Barnes. This book will guide us into a more authentic approach to racial reconciliation by means of repentance appropriate to the season of Advent.
To join the Book Study, order your book today and email me at [email protected]. I will send you the ZOOM link for our first meeting on November 29. Looking forward to continuing this extraordinary conversation with you.
Grace and peace, Erin