#NoJusticeNoPeace: Resurrection as Staying Alive
A Lament for Eastertide in Honor of George Floyd

Leader: which is to say a reckoning with what some of us refuse to see
Assembly: and some of us live every moment

Leader: which is to say how old this story of resilience
Assembly: and this myth of supremacy

Leader: which is to say these names are the contours of the tears called forth from a country that needs to be reminded
Assembly: black lives matter

Leader: which is to say what if the color of resurrection is black and brown and the empty tomb asks,
Assembly: what will it take to stay alive today:

Leader: I need to drive my two-year-old to daycare tomorrow morning. To ensure we arrive alive, we won’t take public transit.
Assembly: Oscar Grant, say his name.

Leader: I removed all air fresheners from the vehicle and double checked my registration
Assembly: Daunte Wright, say his name.

Leader: and ensured my license plates were visible.
Assembly: Lt. Caron Nazario, say his name.

Leader: I will be careful to follow all traffic rules
Assembly: Philando Castille, say his name.

Leader: signal every turn
Assembly: Sandra Bland, say her name.

Leader: keep the radio volume low
Assembly: Jordan Davis, say his name.

Leader: and won’t stop at a fast food chain for a meal.
Assembly: Rayshard Brooks, say his name.

Leader: I’m too afraid to pray
Assembly: Rev. Clementa C. Pickney, say his name.

Leader: so I just hope the car won’t break down
Assembly: Corey Jones, say his name.

Leader: or that we won’t have an accident and need help.
Assembly: Renisha McBride, say her name.

Leader: When my wife picks up our child at the end of the day, I’ll remind her not to let him dance
Assembly: Elijah McClain, say his name.

Leader: or stop and play in a park
Assembly: Tamir Rice, say his name.

Leader: or patronize the local convenience store for snack
Assembly: Trayvon Martin, say his name.

Leader: or walk around the neighborhood
Assembly: Mike Brown, say his name.

Leader: Once they are home, we won’t stand in our backyard
Assembly: Stephon Clark, say his name.

Leader: or eat ice cream on the couch
Assembly: Botham Jean, say his name.

Leader: or play any video games.
Assembly: Atatiana Jefferson, say her name.

Leader: After we tuck him into bed, neither of us will leave the house to go to Walmart
Assembly: John Crawford, say his name.

Leader: or on a jog.
Assembly: Ahmaud Arbery, say his name.

Leader: We’ll just sit and try not to breathe
Assembly: George Floyd, say his name. Byron Williams, say his name. Eric Garner, say his name. 

Leader: and not to sleep.
Assembly: Breonna Taylor, say her name.

Leader: These are things white people simply do not have to think about.”
Assembly: What will it take to stay alive today?

Leader: which is to say there is no justice for the dead no trial can restore a life
Assembly: no verdict can repair what has been stolen

Leader: which is to say the names
Assembly: which is to say love

Leader: which is to say abolition
Assembly: which is to say white supremacy is a lie

Leader: which is to say #BlackLivesMatter
Assembly: which is to say image of God

Leader: which is to say these names until we dream a world to life where there is no more need to say the names
Assembly: because we will be here breathing together in peace.

– By Dr. Sharon R. Fennema using the text of a shared Facebook post attributed to “Author Unknown”

 

WeHo UCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WeHo UCC’s Zoom Meeting Sunday Worship Service
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99905039534?pwd=SzN4MWlXNzdvbmc0VWhOYkpDMTl2Zz09

Meeting ID: 999 0503 9534
Passcode: 999230
One tap mobile
+16699009128, 99905039534#, *999230# US (San Jose)
+12532158782, 99905039534#, *999230# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 999 0503 9534
Passcode: 999230
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aero8cHeMu