In the midst of a week-long series of meetings among the national and Conference staffs of the United Church of Christ in Savannah, Georgia, last week, the news of nationwide protests in response to the killing of African Americans by law enforcement personnel in St Louis, New York and Cleveland frequently penetrated our conversations. An open letter was drafted by some of the 140 delegates to the gathering, and appears this week in Keeping You E-posted. In part, the letter reads:

As we approach the third Sunday of Advent and light the candle of joy, we are mindful of others whose joy is diminished. We remember those whose lives were extinguished prematurely and unjustly, and those who mourn their loss. We are reminded of our responsibility to abide with them in ways that restore their joy.

On Christmas Eve we lift the Christ candle in the midst of our people proclaiming the birth of the one who is the light that shines in the darkness. The one who calls us to be the light that shines in the darkness of a world still filled with hopelessness, hatred, sorrow and violence.

            Along with the letter, readers of Keeping You E-posted can find a litany for use in worship that was written by Dr. Yolanda Pierce. We invite you to utilize it if it speaks to you, or to create your own worship expressions to demonstrate our compassion for those who have felt the loss of life within their communities.

            While our views may continue to differ about the death that took place in Ferguson last August, no one should doubt our common faith that all human life has value. No one should question our commonly felt sorrow that so many young black lives are rendered futile by economic oppression, poor housing, schools, and opportunities, exposure to drugs and the likelihood of incarceration at an early age. No one should be satisfied with the killing of a child in a Cleveland park or the strangulation of a young man on the streets of New York, and no one should accept the foolish notion that these were isolated incidents that we who live in other communities can dismiss.

            A few days ago, a small group of people went on a march from Ferguson to Jefferson City, in a quiet and peaceful demonstration of their convictions. In two or more of the predominantly white communities through which they passed, they were met by hostile mobs of white people shouting demeaning insults and waving confederate flags. One of our pastors, seeing it from her car, was moved to join the marchers for a mile or so. We thank her for her witness.

            A few days ago, a Bosnian resident of south St Louis was attacked with a hammer and killed by a group of black teenagers in the most recent incident of violence against Bosnians in that neighborhood. Such instances belong to us all.

            The fruits of indifference to the racial, ethnic and religious misunderstandings and prejudices among us become apparent in events like those we've experienced in recent days. They are not tolerable, and they summon us to common works of faith. The first thing all of us need to do is to inform ourselves about the American history of race and immigration. In the Missouri Mid-South Conference, we are beginning to organize again for renewed sacred conversations on race, but local congregations also bear responsibility for member education. Start a conversation group in your church or your neighborhood or let Josh Gibson in the Conference office know about your interests (see below article). Support the upcoming General Synod resolution on "mass incarceration."   Within many of our communities there are opportunities for interracial dialogue or common ministry projects, but even in completely homogeneous communities there are opportunities for conversation about those deep-seated beliefs and attitudes that limit our understanding. The Missouri Mid-South Conference is committed to discovering new ways to grow in interracial understanding and engaging in works of reconciliation. Please share your ideas, and remember that the work of the Conference belongs to you.

Allen M. Fluent,  

Acting Conference Minister