In the midst of celebration here in our church, our hearts are called to justice and compassion in our country and in our world. This week, we have witnessed the results of decades of racism and poverty as Baltimore seethed following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody. Every day this week, we have learned of more who died in Nepal, following a devastating earthquake. Even here in our city, we struggle with anger and heartbreak as young people bring violence and the tools of violence into their schools.

Our hearts are called out to all we wish we could help; they are called out in compassion; they are called out to the work of justice. Here in Worcester County, in our nation, and in our world, let us organize ourselves in our communities toward the world we wish to see. Let us hear one another's stories and find our common ground. Together, even in a world rent by suffering, we may build peace.

I leave you with the prayer I wrote in November in memory of Michael Brown. We may pray it again now in memory of Freddie Gray and all who have died from power wielded unjustly. May peace be with us all.

A Prayer for Thanksgiving, in memory of Michael Brown

Gracious God,

Spirit of mercy and peace, Light of our hearts and minds,

be with us now.

As we gather in peace around the fellowship table, we pray.

Keep in your mercy those children whose lives are ended

by violence, fear, prejudice, and injustice.

Comfort their families and bring them the peace

that comes both through faith and love,

and also through work for a better world.

Bring the promise of real justice,

towards which the arc of the universe is bending,

especially for all those whom justice has failed for so long:

for Black Americans, for Native Americans, for immigrant Americans,

for the poor, for those who struggle in body or spirit, for the Earth.

Help us see in every moment of tragedy a moment to turn:

to turn away from violence, to turn away from killing,

to turn away from guns, to turn away from hatred,

to turn away from war, to turn away from division and fear;

and help us turn toward compassion, turn toward trust,

turn toward understanding, turn toward equity,

turn toward love:

turn toward love.

Keep in your mercy those who serve and protect,

that their actions may be compassionate, that their works may be the works of peace,

that they may wield power but not be corrupted by power.

Grant us the power of our anger, that we may have energy to change the world.

Grant us the warmth of our compassion, that we may reach across the lines that divide us.

Grant us the humility of our uncertainty, that we may learn from others before knowing we are right.

Grant us gratitude for the blessings we enjoy, and may all the world someday gather in bounty and a fellowship of peace. Amen.