Wikipedia tells us that in our country and in Canada, the month of February has been designated, "Black History Month" for taking time to remember important people and events in history of the historic movement of peoples from Africa and their descendants. Some form of celebrating black history has been celebrated since 1926.

For several years now Grace has offered a lunch for Absalom Jones Day and Black History Month. We take the time to remember those black individuals who have accomplished many known and unknown amazing things in our history.

As you can imagine, there are some people who wonder why we do this. In fact, that is true among the black, white and people of color communities of Grace. So, why do we do this in our liturgy and with a luncheon?

What better place to pause and give thanks for the black creators and imaginers of our time. Liturgy is a unique opportunity to physically and verbally enact what we imagine the reign of God to look like. In liturgy, the people of God work out the reality of God's justice. We gather and pray and give thanks for all of God's people. What better time to stop and remember things we have done and left undone.

I write this as a white, female, gay person of privilege. I certainly have been persecuted throughout my life. I know nothing of what it means to have my family live the life of a slave. I watch my relatives have privileges that I know so many people of color will never have.

Black History is about taking the time to pause and remember the black inventors and artists and doctors and lawyers and factory workers and fathers and mothers who have changed the world because of being in the world.

In our liturgy we remember that we are the body of Christ. So, this month of February we will remember that that means people of all colors.

I pray for a day when our world will be what President Obama has been known to proclaim and my version of that: We are not a black America. A White America. We are not just Democrats or Republicans or Liberals or Conservative. We are not Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheist, etc. We are the UNITED States of America. We are the ONE world. We are ALL children of God.

May we live into that and enact that.

Peace,

Shawn

P.S.  I invite you to read the Belfar Confession at this link.  

Are you a young person or adult interested in exploring your faith life, learning more about the Episcopal Church, or even taking the next step of your spiritual journey? Or do you know someone who is? On Sunday, February 23rd, Grace will begin "Finding God, Finding Grace," a faith formation series open to all. We'll meet after the 10:30 service in the small groups meeting room next to the Parish Hall.  Throughout this series we will explore our place in our scriptures, traditions, and the life of the church. Those who choose may conclude the series in confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith by the Bishop, but all are welcome. Interested people should speak to Shawn, Nick, or Eric.

Curious about what's happening in our programs for children, youth, and adults? Or just want a space to connect and dialogue with others about questions of faith and spirituality? Check out our newly-launched Formation page on Facebook! 'Like' us and we'll keep you up-to-date on how to get involved in our programs, and give you plenty of spiritual food for spiritual thought. 

We'll celebrate Black History Month with a luncheon in the Parish Hall after the 10:30AM service this Sunday, February 16. We'll also celebrate Absalom Jones at the service.  The Rev. Jones was the first black American priest.

Please plan to join us! There will be a free-will offering.  Please give generously, as 100% of your contributions will be donated to our struggling church in South Sudan for displaced Sudanese or equipment.  

Janani Luwum

Janani Luwum was born in 1922 at Acholi in Uganda, near the Sudanese border. After his early years as a teacher and lay reader in Gulu, he was sent to St. Augustine's College, Canterbury. He was ordained priest in 1956 and returned to Uganda to assume responsibility for twenty-four congregations. After several years of service that included work at a local theological college, Luwum returned to England on scholarship for further study at the London College of Divinity.

In 1969 Luwum became Bishop of Northern Uganda, where he was a faithful visitor to his parishes as well as a growing influence at international gatherings of the Anglican Communion. In 1974 he was elected Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire.

Luwum's new position brought him into direct contact and eventual confrontation with the Ugandan military dictator, Idi Amin, as the Archbishop sought to protect his people from the brutality of Amin's regime. In August of 1976 Makerere University was sacked by government troops. With Archbishop Luwum as their chair, the Christian leaders of the country drafted a strong memorandum of protest against officially sanctioned rape and murder.

In early February 1977 the Archbishop's residence was searched for arms by government security forces. On February 16, President Amin summoned Luwum to his palace. He went there, accompanied by the other Anglican bishops and by the Roman Catholic cardinal archbishop and a senior leader of the Muslim community. After being accused of complicity in a plot to murder the President, most of the clerics were allowed to leave. However, Archbishop Luwum was ordered to remain behind. As his companions departed, Luwum said, "They are going to kill me. I am not afraid." He was never seen alive again. The following day the government announced that he had been killed in an automobile accident while resisting arrest. Only after some weeks had passed was his bullet-riddled body released to his family for burial.

Early in his confrontation with the Ugandan government, Archbishop Luwum answered one of his critics by saying, "I do not know how long I shall occupy this chair. I live as though there will be no tomorrow ... While the opportunity is there, I preach the Gospel with all my might, and my conscience is clear before God.

The last day the survey will be open is today (February 12).  We would love to hear from all households (even if you are not attending regularly). Your responses will help us take a deep look at who are, how we are doing and where we are going.

You'll find the survey and more information at this link.  Please be sure that you, your spouse and all young adults and youth living in your home have an opportunity to complete the survey.  INDIVIDUAL INPUT is key to our gaining insight into overall perceptions and experiences. 

There will be a vigil to pray for the people of South Sudan at All Saints' Church, 4550 North Hermitage, Chicago next Thursday, February 20th at 7:30 pm.  Even though there has been little news about the situation in South Sudan, there is still conflict and a growing number of internal refugees.  The Diocese of Chicago is planning this vigil and if you are interested there will be a planning meeting, Sunday, February 16th at 2:30 pm held at All Saints' in Chicago.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has made the week of February 16th a time to pray for South Sudan.  Bishop Joseph in the Diocese of Renk asks that you pray for the 800,000 people that have been displaced due to this internal conflict.

Bishop Joseph says prayers matter.  We can pray.  Bishop Joseph says money matters.  We can give.

-Susan Hickey

Local elementary students will share a reading of 'The Language of the Heart' on Sunday, February 16, at 2 p.m. at The Magic Tree Bookstore, in Oak Park. This book is dedicated to Anne Smedinghoff of River Forest, (niece of Grace Church member Cathy Tokarski) a young American diplomat killed in Afghanistan last year while delivering school books to children. Anne hoped to create a more peaceful world by helping people recognize their similarities and respect each other's differences.

The book combines the creative talent and artwork of school children from Chicago and Afghanistan, with musical inspiration of Kathy Sherman, CSJ, to bring a message of love and peace. All are welcome. To attend, RSVP to The Magic Tree Bookstore, (708)848-0770.

February 16th 10:30am Service:

ACOLYTES: TBA
MC/LEMS:  Susan Hickey; Eric Biddy, Tony Dobrowolski, Cherryl Holt, Hansi Kess, Joni Klein
LECTORS: Willie Polite, Cyndy Reynolds
INTERCESSORS: Tony Dobrowolski, Cliff Hunt
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Scott Garman, Flora Green, Hansi Kess, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta; Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: The Lucé family
USHERS: Flora Green, Stan Kaderbek, Linda Francis, Alex Lippitt
GREETERS: Donna Anderson, Adrienne Gervais, Cyndy Reynolds
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Volunteer(s) needed
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Black History Luncheon