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Is there a religious way to get angry?

7/19/2017

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Rev. Elaine Thomas sounds a vuvuzela to lead the march on July 8.
The Charlottesville Clergy Collective received some major attention in this column from Deseret News written by Kelsey Dallas, a Yale Divinity School classmate of the Rev. Elaine Ellis Thomas.

* * * * * *
The Rev. Elaine Ellis Thomas spent a recent Saturday singing, chanting and marching through the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, with several hundred of her neighbors. She was one of the estimated 1,000 people gathered to protest the Ku Klux Klan rally taking place in the city that day.

Clad in a bright pink, sleeveless shirt and her clerical collar, she joined hands with other members of her community's interfaith group. The Charlottesville Clergy Collective wanted to bring God's presence to bear on the July 8 event and stand united against racially motivated violence.

"We couldn't just sit still in the face of this evil coming to town," said the Rev. Thomas, associate rector at St. Paul's Memorial Church.

However, as people of faith, they also felt they shouldn't hurl insults at the assembled Klan members, she added.
"I'm not sure that shouting obscenities and profanities at people actually honors God or the dignity of people at whom they're shouting," the Rev. Thomas said.

Her view sometimes gets lost in the current anger epidemic affecting many Americans. In an age of social media spats and growing political polarization, anger is all the rage, which could mean trouble for people's physical, mental and spiritual health.

Trying to avoid anger all together is a losing battle, but religious people can draw on their teachings to learn how to channel their wrath toward a worthwhile cause, according to faith leaders and scholars.

"It's how you channel anger that makes the difference in acting in accordance with faith principles," the Rev. Thomas said.

For the rest of the article, please visit:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685018/Is-there-a-religious-way-to-get-angry.html
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Rabbi Tom Gutherz's Remarks and Prayer

7/11/2017

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Rabbi Tom Gutherz, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel, offered these remarks and prayer at the Sprint Pavilion on July 8.

This afternoon we would like to share a few words from our Hebrew Scripture.
Actually just three words, from Psalm 89:  Olam Hesed Yibaneh.
Because of the way Hebrew works, this could be translated a couple of ways.

It could mean: Love can build a whole world.

That is, when we practice acting towards one another in a loving way, we bring into being
a whole network of relationships, which become a solid foundation on which an entire
structure can be built and also sustained

It can also be interpreted as a prayer, or a demand, or a hope:
A world of love: He will build it
A world of love: Let it be built!

We may address this prayer, this demand to God. This world of love: God can build it
Or perhaps it is God addresses who addresses it to us: A world of love: Let it be built!

And the word hesed describes a certain type of love.
It is not a love of something, but rather a love towards someone.
It is loving-kindness, a compassionate and caring love for another person. 
Hesed is an attribute of the Holy One: an always-giving love,
a love that has no limit,
an indivisible love
of which there is enough to go around for everyone

So this our answer to those who come here to preach hate, and exclusion, and supremacy:

Olam Hesed Yibaneh
I will build this world from love
And you will build this world from love
And if we build this world from love
Then God will build this world from love

                                                            Rabbi Tom Gutherz, Congregation Beth Israel
                                                            Rabbinic Pastor Heena Reiter, Pnai Yisrael Chavurah

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Rev. Dr. Harry Kennon's words and prayer

7/10/2017

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Rev. Dr. Harry Kennon, Pastor Emeritus of First United Methodist Church, offered these words and prayer to those gathered in the sanctuary of First United Methodist prior to the march.


In my United Methodist tradition, our baptismal vows those seeking church membership are asked several questions, including these two:
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?  Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
 
Friends we are gathered here for one primary reason: to resist evil.
And specifically to resist the sin of racism, personified for us by the impending presence of a Chapter of the Ku Klux Klan just a block or so up the street.
But before we face this enemy of all that is holy, we need to gird ourselves up with the spirit of truth and the power of prayer.
And the truth is that the KKK wouldn’t be here today unless they thought they had allies.
Know this: The KKK is not seeking to bring racism to our community so much as they are seeking to amplify the racism that already exists here.

So with that being said, I invite you to pray with me:
​
Sovereign God, Lord of Heaven and Earth, of all that has been, is and ever will be…
We are gathered here today as people with different backgrounds, with different faith traditions, or with no faith tradition.
We are Black, we are White. We may be Christians, or Jews, or Muslims, or Hindus, or practitioners of some other faith.
Still we share a common humanity and we are all of us children of God.
We are drawn together to protest what is wrong “out there” in our world,
And to offer an alternative reality under the banner of love, and peace, and respect, and hope for a better world.
We are here to celebrate our unity in the midst of diversity, and to lift up what is good, and kind, and right.
Still, if our gathering here is to have meaning; if our voice is to be authentic;
If we are to possess any moral authority, any power to speak out against evil,
We need first to confess our own sin.
We need to own our history, and to accept our own complicity in the continuing scourge of racism.
So we confess complacency in the face of hostility in the past and in our time…
We confess that during the hey-day of the KKK in the 1920s, even some of our churches turned a deaf ear to the blatant racism in their pews.
Even today, we sometimes remain silent to ignorant, racist words spoken by family members and friends, preferring easy comfort over difficult justice.
Some of us have chosen to accept the status quo without acknowledging our places of privilege.
Some of us, both black and white, have withheld love, and harbored animosity our hearts, allowing our fear and our suspicion to define our reality.
Some have uttered hateful racist, sexist, or otherwise dehumanizing comments.
Some have refused to engage with our neighbors because of the color of their skin.
Some have projected malevolent motives upon others rather than looking into their hearts.
By our own actions or inaction, we have denied the image of God in others while claiming it for ourselves.
So we pause to reflect and to repent of our sinful ways… of choosing violence over peace of choosing oppression over equality of choosing division over unity of choosing fear over love.
Forgive us we pray, and empower us this day to set aside any animosity in our hearts and concentrate fully on the task of presenting to our community an alternative vision, one driven by forgiveness, acceptance, and love for all
May we each embrace the words of the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Amen.
I invite you now to turn to a neighbor as you are led and offer words and signs of reconciliation and peace.
 
“Let there be peace on earth” 


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Rev. Elaine Thomas' interview by Jay James

7/10/2017

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Jay James of CBS Newsplex 19 interviews Rev. Elaine Thomas of St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church.
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Rev. Seth Wispelwey's Prayer at FUMC before our march

7/10/2017

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Reverend Seth Wispelwey, Co-Moderator of Sojourners United Church of Christ, offered this "sending prayer" at First United Methodist Church, right before the march onto Justice Park and the Sprint Pavilion.

May God bless us all with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless us all with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us all with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, war, and racism so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us all with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

​Amen.
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Prayer by Rev. Ken Henry at Sprint Pavilion

7/10/2017

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The Reverend Dr. Ken Henry, Senior Pastor of Westminister Presbyterian Church, offer this prayer at the Unity Concert in the Sprint Pavilion on July 8. 

How Lovely
(See Psalm 84:1)
 
How lovely is this day, O God of the Heavenly Hosts
 
How lovely to be in Your presence,
in the presence that both welcomes and embraces.
 
How lovely to see tangible signs of your inclusive love. 
We only ask that you forgive us for not gathering together sooner.
Still, here we are!
And, in this moment, on this day, our cup overflows with possibilites for peace.
 
How lovely.
 
How lovely to see groups of people, people from all walks of life, standing strong, arm in arm throughout our beloved city,
          arm in arm in sisterhood,
arm in arm in brotherhood,
          east, west, north and south
          –all God's children arm in arm in unity.
 
How lovely to witness so many people putting prejudice and hatred behind them and walking forward with courage and resolve.
 
Walking away from the darkness and into the light.
 
O, how lovely is this day, God of the heavenly hosts.
For we are listening
And You are speaking--
speaking words of grace,
speaking words to soften all human hearts,
 
You are speaking loud and clear. . . and you are saying to all of us gathered here in front of city hall.
                     -- “How lovely.”
                               Amen.


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Staying Safe at Protests. How to Respond Non-violently

7/6/2017

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Peaceful protest is our right. But, other groups may attempt to intimidate us with violence. To prevent our non-violent demonstration from becoming a show of their violence, here are some tips. It is easiest to defuse a problem before it explodes.
  • If you feel uncomfortable or intimidated, immediately move or leave the area.
  • If you see weapons or you feel threatened or you observe suspicious behavior, call the police immediately and leave the area.
  • If you are surrounded, don’t panic. Move to the periphery of the crowd.
  • If someone appears to be in danger, intervene calmly. Emotional actions beget emotional responses.
  • If a person abuses you verbally, do not respond. Reasonable discourse in this situation is futile. Verbal abuse is used to anger, demoralize and provoke. Do not take the bait.
  • If you face aggression and choose to engage, know that an aggressive person is not likely to listen to you. Have an escape route.
  • If it is possible, look for creative ways of isolating and calming aggressive people, by building a positive relationship with them: “I want to listen to you but I am having trouble when you are shouting….”
  • If you are attacked, follow the attackers directions; do not fight back.
  • If an attack occurs, try to remember details so you will be a good witness.
remember: WE ARE NOT AFRAID
Stay Safe

Many thanks to the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice for these tips.
You can download a flyer with these tips as a flyer or pocket guide on their website: ​​https://protestprotection.org/.
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Summer of 2017: Standing Firm – Moving Forward Together

7/3/2017

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The Charlottesville Clergy Collective is a gathering of faith leaders in the Charlottesville-Albemarle region whose mission is to establish, develop, and promote racial justice. We are committed to challenging the resurgence of groups promoting racist, white supremacist ideals this summer with prayer and action, galvanizing the community to act in a spirit of love and radical hospitality, respecting the dignity of every human being.
 
On July 8, the Charlottesville Clergy Collective will be present in and around downtown at events organized by the city and other community leaders in addition to hosting activities under our banner. The focal point of our activity will occur, and be launched from, First United Methodist Church
 
Our overall aim is to provide:
 
Action: Prayers begin in Justice Park in the morning and continue into the afternoon with a march from FUMC to Justice Park to bear witness as a faith community and to the Pavilion for a time of prayer, song, and celebration, surrounding the area with our presence.
 
Safe Space: First United Methodist Church, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, open for prayer, music, community-building, and conversation.

Accompaniment: Walking with those who might be hesitant to move around the areas between FUMC and points downtown.

Education: Training and conversation events leading up to July 8 and plans for ongoing witness in the days and weeks following.
 
As people of faith, we have been working together to address issues of justice and equality and to heal divisions in our region, and these events of July 8 are a continuation of that work. We have much to do to create a community in which all people feel welcome, safe, nurtured, and fully included in our common life.

We will Stand Firm in our pursuit of justice and the honoring of all peoples, and we will Move Forward Together as one community, united in our common humanity as beloved of God.
 
Signed:
 
Pastor Daniel Xisto, Charlottesville Seventh-day Adventist Church
Pastor Winn Collier, All Souls, Charlottesville
The Rev. Erik Wikstrom, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church
The Rev. Michael Cheuk, Charlottesville Clergy Collective
The Rev. Rabia Povich, Inayati Universal Sufi Order
The Rev. Jeff Villio, First Christian Church
The Rev. Dr. Jill Duffield, The Presbyterian Outlook
Susan Beers, Charlottesville Friends Meeting
Adam Slate, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church
The Rev. Neal Halvorson-Taylor, Grace Church, Red Hill
The Rev. Pamela Philips, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church
Ann Marie Smith, Intern, Grace Church, Red Hill/Charis Community
The Rev. Dr. Jan Rivero, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
The Rev. Dr. Ken Henry, Westminster Presbyterian Church
The Rev. William Peyton, St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church
Apostle Sarah A .Kelley, Faith, Hope and Love International Healing and Deliverance Center
The Rev. Phil Woodson, First United Methodist Church
Sharon Beckman-Brindley, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
The Rev. Dr. Harry Kennon, First United Methodist Church
The Rev. Carol Sims, Grace Episcopal Church, Cismont
The Rev. Marilu Thomas, Christ Episcopal Church
The Rev. Josh Bascom, Christ Episcopal Church
The Rev. Dr. Susan A. Minasian, Sojourners United Church of Christ
The Rev. Alvin J. Horton, First United Methodist Church
Deacon Don Gathers, First Baptist Church – West Main Street
Pastor Brenda Brown-Grooms, New Beginnings Christian Community
Pastor Liz Emrey, New Beginnings Christian Community
The Rev. Robert Lewis, Hinton Avenue United Methodist Church
The Rev. Will Brown, University Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Louie Andrews, Rockfish Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Dr. David Garth, First Presbyterian Charlottesville
The Rev. Don Lansky, Unity of Charlottesville
The Rev. Seth Wispelwey, Sojourners United Church of Christ
Rabbi Tom Gutherz, Congregation Beth Israel
The Rev. Liz Forney, First Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Sandy Wisco, Charlottesville Clergy Collective
The Rev. Viktoria Halmágyi Parvin, St. Mark Lutheran Church
The Rev. Cass Bailey, Trinity Episcopal Church
The Rev. Emily Rowell Brown, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
The Rev. Gary Charles, Cove Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Nicholas Deere, Broadus Memorial Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Jim Bundy, Sojourners United Church of Christ
The Rev. Heather A. Warren, St. Paul’s Memorial Church
The Rev. Paul Walker, Christ Episcopal Church
The Rev. Albert Connette, Olivet Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Dr. Alvin Edwards, Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Lehman Bates, Ebenezer Baptist Church
The Rev. Elaine Ellis Thomas, St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church

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