After "What is White?"
The last few weeks we have hosted a conversation with myself, Erik Rogers, and other key leaders and voices in our parish named “What is White.” We explored how we as Christians can become aware of and grow in the complex race issues facing our world. I know for some, this is a conversation that is long overdue, especially for the church. I'm also aware that for other brothers and sisters at Rez who see racism as evil, discussing “whiteness” is a non-starter, or seen as divisive, or part of some progressive agenda foreign to the church.
If you can relate to these objections, we want you to know that we take them and you seriously as beloved brothers and sisters in the church. Likewise, we take seriously the experience and perspective of black brothers and sisters in our parish. In our discussion we’ve sought to unpack these perspectives, exploring them with scripture, personal experience, and dialogue. We don’t claim to do this without error (just watch my missteps in our discussions), but neglecting this work is unacceptable for the witnessing church. This is why we’re committed to facilitating this conversation even if it’s difficult, challenging, and imperfectly carried out. But here’s our hope: we know that if we can hold open this space and invite the Spirit of God, then surely He will be at work among us. You, the beloved of Rez, are an important part of that. I’m under no illusion that a live-stream and chat on a Sunday afternoon can accomplish this, but it is a start to long work, and I believe it was a helpful one.
Wherever you are in the mix of these important issues, I want to express one thing to all of you: Our church is a place where anyone can belong, where disagreement or conflict is a normal part of community life, and where all people find sanctuary from a violent world.
This won’t be the last complex and tense issue we need to talk through as a community, but we inhabit a living hope for all of them. We have this unique space as a church because we are not just a collection of people, but the Body of Christ, existing as an outpost of the Kingdom of God. You and I are under the care of the Father, filled with the Spirit, and given the life of the Son to share in. This is a real hope for difficult conversations, and a perspective that we must commit to holding in focus. And Rez, this is who you have always been! So, let's continue to be the Rez that is able to face hard things, be open to learning, and courageous in our pursuit of a life together in the goodness of God.
Peace,
Fr. Shawn+
If you’re interested in catching up on these conversations you can find them all here: What is White?