All Saints Parish

God be in my head and in my understanding, God be in my eyes and in my looking, God be in my mouth and in my speaking, God be in my heart and in my thinking, God be at my end and at my departing.... (Quoted in the book, The Sacred Depths of Nature)

Even the grapes celebrate

Dearest EACA family, As we celebrate Pentecost and the coming of God's comforting Spirit, we are faced yet again by our nation in turmoil. I find myself unsure of how to adequately express my feelings and concerns. I regularly feel frightened and angered by the situations that prejudice, hatred, and injustice create. As a white man I cannot even begin to imagine the fear and anger experienced by persons of color. Just as the police harrassment and persecution of the Gay comm...unity led to the June 1969 uprising that we remember as The Stonewall Riots, the senseless death of yet another African-American man at the hands of law enforcement has prompted the current response by many in the black community. The oppressed often must stand against the powers that be in order to create change. It is disconcerting and disheartening that in the year 2020 we are still facing such circumstances. Nevertheless here we are. Frustration and anger can become explosive. The violent nature such discord often takes also frightens me. Mostly I fear that even more people will be hurt or killed. The late Dr. King promoted non-violent protest as the best avenue for promoting change. Yet I am in solidarity with those who stand, march, protest against injustice and inequity in our country and in the world. Jesus stood for and with the voiceless, downtrodden masses, can we who call ourselves Christians do otherwise? Empathy is "putting yourself in somebody else's shoes," understanding their experiences and feelings. Let us try on the shoes of another and endeavor to feel the difference and then strive for change. I pray for safety, peace, and justice for all of God's children. I pray for wisdom for all involved. I pray that we might all show compassion and understanding to others. God's blessings be with you. In love, +Kevin