You Got My Attention!

I was in the middle of the street.  I was jay-walking when I heard someone shout at me: “Hey, you know it’s against the law to jay-walk.  Be careful!”  I was in Phoenix, attending the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly.  It was hot – every day the temperature was over 105 and as high as 111.  I was between air-conditioned buildings; I was trying to hurry.  But she was right - I was breaking the law.  Here in Annapolis, I wouldn’t have thought much about my actions, but later I fully understood that in Phoenix, as elsewhere, this could pose a very large problem (even death).

            You see, in Arizona getting stopped by the police – as in getting a ticket for jay-walking – can lead a police officer to asking for your “papers,” that is, proof that you are a U.S. citizen.  Later that day I was one of many asked during an Assembly meeting: “How many of you, right now, could prove you are a U.S. citizen?”  I couldn’t; neither could 98% of the people in the hall where thousands had gathered.  Honestly – and let’s be honest about this –I have the wrong skin color and the wrong accent to be asked for my “papers.”  But, if I had been asked and failed to show U.S. identification, I could be “detained” and once this process is started I would lose many of the legal rights I’ve always assumed I have – like a phone call and legal representation.  You see, the immigration process and detention system is very different – the rules as we have come to know them just don’t apply.

            On Saturday night of the Assembly, we gathered outside Phoenix’s infamous “Tent City” where thousands of detainees are being held by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.  None of those living behind the fence have been convicted of anything – they are being housed in tents without air-conditioning awaiting processing (the evening we were there, it was 102).  Last year, 122 immigrants died in detention facilities – waiting for the government to decide their status, which is to say, some/many/most were in the wrong place at the wrong time, didn’t have papers, were detained, and ….  (One of the speakers noted that just down the street is the county animal shelter where the “guests” have air-conditioning and spotless living conditions.)

             At the Saturday night “witness,” I was among the crowd who gathered in the heat to ask that Tent City be shut down and that Arizona SB 1070 be repealed.  My participation had taken on more meaning when the GA organizers got my attention asking: “Show me your papers!”  I couldn’t and I realized that I could be confined in Tent City, filling the “Vacancy” advertised by Sheriff Arpaio.  A simple act of jay-walking could have put me detention.

            The U.S. Supreme has ruled on the constitutionality of Arizona’s SB 1070, leaving the door open for further hearings and litigation on one key part of the law.  In the meantime, my week in Phoenix was an eye-opener; it was unsettling.  “You got my attention,” I told several on the GA planning staff.  What will it take to get yours?

             Take care and see you soon,

                        Fred

RIDING THE CREST (JC)

I am so pleased and thankful to have been given the opportunity to be the Sunday morning preacher at this year's General Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona.  For those who missed the worship service , you missed a treat!  There were 192 voices in the choir, a large house band, and over 4,000 people in attendance singing along jubilantly to hymns and choir songs. Your ministers were all participants in the service and by the number of comments we received after worship ended, we could all conclude that the service was a success.

I want to personally thank Marty Day for making the lovely stoles you see in the photo.  As I said in the sermon, "We looked marvelous!"  I also want to say "thank you" to those UUCA members who came all the way to Phoenix to support us.

For me, this powerful service marks the end of my church year and the beginning of summer.  As I go into the month of July, I plan to take time for study.  I am looking forward to reading several books.  I have a few I'd like to recommend to you, as these books more than likely will influence my ministry here with you in the coming months.

• The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (She was one of the worship leaders at GA)
• The Persistence of the Color Line by Randall Kennedy (Fred's recommendation)
• How We Decide by John Lehrer
• It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It by Robert Fulghum
• Voice from the Margins by Jacqui James and Mark Morrison-Reed
• The New Species: A Vision of the Evolution of The Human Being by Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott
• Guns, Germs, and Steel:  The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond

I am so thankful to you, UUCA, for allowing me the spiritual time needed to continue the vibrant ministry we have together.  We have had a great church-year!  We have lived boldly and compassionately.  I look forward to continuing the journey with you soon.

In the name of Love,

Rev. John

 

Phoenix, Here We Come! (FM)

Every June thousands of Unitarian Universalists gather for the UUA annual General Assembly.  This year’s event will be in Phoenix, AZ.Ministers arrive on June 18 and lay delegates come on June 20.It’s a unique Assembly this year because the theme is “JusticeGA.  ”You can hear President Morales’ invitation by clicking here.  At least a dozen members of UUCA will be attending and bringing home the “Good News” of GA.
           For your Ministry Team, this GA will be unlike any other.  We are excited about having been asked to bring our ministry to Phoenixand sharing it with so many other UUs.  As your ministers, we have always known that UUCA is a special congregation; now we’re going to share it with thousands of others during two major gatherings

           On Wednesday, June 20, I will be delivering the 192^nd Berry Street Lecture. Started in 1820 by William Ellery Channing, the BSL is the oldest continuing lecture in North America.  Rev. John will be introducing me to the audience of 500+ UU ministers.   My presentation is entitled “From iChurch to Beloved Community: Ecclesiology and Justice,” and in many ways you have heard it all!  That is, much of what I will be sharing grew from ideas that originated here at UUCA. Two ministers will give responses to my lecture: UUA President Morales and Kimberly Tomazewski (last year’s UUCA intern). I am honored and humbled to have been asked to do this (and will be happy when it’s over!).

           Then on Sunday, June 24, your Ministry Team will be conducting the biggest worship service of the Assembly. Anastassia will be lighting the chalice and giving the opening words, I will be speaking the prayer/reflection, Christina will be telling the “story for all ages,” and John will be delivering the sermon. The congregation will number 4000+! It promises to be an experience to remember. You can watch the service live by tuning into the streaming video link on June 24 (at 12 pm). We hope to arrange for watching it here at the church, so look for an announcement about this special and fun gathering.

           Both of these experiences are “once in a lifetime” opportunities. We will be holding you – the members and friends of UUCA – in our hearts and spirits as we travel to Phoenix and tell of the ministry we share with you.
           Take care and see you soon,
                         Fred