I am convinced that when the Lord returns, and his people gather around him in worship, the people who get to stand closest to him will include our Black American sisters and brothers, while we white Americans will mostly be at the back of the crowd.
Thank you so much for this lovely reminder about the importance and value of service. I, too, have sloth cat tendencies, and my partner and I have been putting off getting more involved in our community. (In my partner’s defense, he’s a seriously overworked doctor, but it’s always possible to find some excuse to put things off. We’re also both introverts, which doesn’t help matters.) When we moved here to Portland a few years ago, we found a wonderful Jesuit parish on the other side of the river, but we keep delaying getting more involved. I need to follow your lead & just take the plunge.
Thanks for sharing this Holly. I am heading to Eldoret in a few weeks. I am taking several of your books to share with friends. I love that country and my friends and colleagues there. Thank you
I’m not a believer per se but I do love the spirit in everything you included in this post - especially gospel music as delivered within black churches. It takes me back to my childhood when I would lie on the kitchen floor under our breakfast table while ‘Sarah’ ironed our clothes listening to WGIV radio in Charlotte, NC. I was 5 in 1955 and the gospel music she listened to on that ‘black’ radio station got deep into me and never left. It was music that bore the truth of suffering couched in hope for the future. I may be white and privileged but that music brings on tears of sadness and joy from 75 year old me like no other. Thank you.
I want to thank you for the music you shared. I come from the Catholic tradition and this is so very different from Protestant worship whether black or white. But I do sing in a church choir and well the music was fabulous.
Holly! You can really lay a word down. Boom. I have to say I don't hate this empire or its corrupt leaders anymore. What I have noticed is that my response to them is RESISTANCE!! Every action they take to oppress creates an action in me to turn the course.
This post was so great, Holly. I don’t need to do anymore doom scrolling tonight. Sweet dreams thinking about your church service with the wonderful music.
Holly, love the music posts, wish I had seen/heard that. I was wondering why you were wearing a frog costume, so I clicked, now I know. On MLK, all Americans should watch the old PBS documentary “Eyes on the Prize” to learn from the Civil Rights movement and the teachings of Dr. King. Great post!!
Thanks for sharing those music clips. That was a taste of glory for sure. I have thought lately that in the present issues of your country, MLK and the civil rights movement truly showed the way forward. It is not an easy path.
P.S. as a musician - the musicians were absolutely fabulous, but I always wonder why the pianist chooses to play a Honda/Toyota type keyboard when there is a Bentley/Mercedes/BMW type piano sitting a few feet away????? LOL.
That was really great Holly, just what i needed. During a time of pastor change that was traumatic at my church I bailed for awhile and went down to my neighborhood black church for a refuge. I did know some people there from town and though was a type of foreign, it was a great blessing avenue. I was particularly happy to hear this guest speaker talk to the church about some silence, some non activity. What I was thinking of was the less than large participation at the No Kings rally's. I think i understand some of the reason's for that but it's too long of a letter to get into here. Anyway, yes, it was cool to hear The Battle Hymn of the Republic" given the true nature of the Civil War. It's an emotional one, nice statement by being sung at this service.
One of my favorite MLK day rememberence's is what Mahalia Jackson said to Rev. King at the March on Washington, 1963- "Tell 'em about the Dream, Martin", and then He launched into it.
I am convinced that when the Lord returns, and his people gather around him in worship, the people who get to stand closest to him will include our Black American sisters and brothers, while we white Americans will mostly be at the back of the crowd.
Thank you so much for this lovely reminder about the importance and value of service. I, too, have sloth cat tendencies, and my partner and I have been putting off getting more involved in our community. (In my partner’s defense, he’s a seriously overworked doctor, but it’s always possible to find some excuse to put things off. We’re also both introverts, which doesn’t help matters.) When we moved here to Portland a few years ago, we found a wonderful Jesuit parish on the other side of the river, but we keep delaying getting more involved. I need to follow your lead & just take the plunge.
Just start with one event, project, committee, they will probably suck you in!
Thanks for sharing this Holly. I am heading to Eldoret in a few weeks. I am taking several of your books to share with friends. I love that country and my friends and colleagues there. Thank you
for all that you are doing here. 💜
Love this!
I’m not a believer per se but I do love the spirit in everything you included in this post - especially gospel music as delivered within black churches. It takes me back to my childhood when I would lie on the kitchen floor under our breakfast table while ‘Sarah’ ironed our clothes listening to WGIV radio in Charlotte, NC. I was 5 in 1955 and the gospel music she listened to on that ‘black’ radio station got deep into me and never left. It was music that bore the truth of suffering couched in hope for the future. I may be white and privileged but that music brings on tears of sadness and joy from 75 year old me like no other. Thank you.
I want to thank you for the music you shared. I come from the Catholic tradition and this is so very different from Protestant worship whether black or white. But I do sing in a church choir and well the music was fabulous.
Holly! You can really lay a word down. Boom. I have to say I don't hate this empire or its corrupt leaders anymore. What I have noticed is that my response to them is RESISTANCE!! Every action they take to oppress creates an action in me to turn the course.
Glory!
I'm no longer religious but I could really use a weekly sermon. Thanks for your writing and videos.
This post was so great, Holly. I don’t need to do anymore doom scrolling tonight. Sweet dreams thinking about your church service with the wonderful music.
Holly, have you seen Tripp Fuller's post today regarding Bonhoeffer and our current situation? It's excellent. This link may get you to it. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ogbl#inbox/FMfcgzQfBQKPqQkdlhqzPNmXjLwzTjGg
Holly, love the music posts, wish I had seen/heard that. I was wondering why you were wearing a frog costume, so I clicked, now I know. On MLK, all Americans should watch the old PBS documentary “Eyes on the Prize” to learn from the Civil Rights movement and the teachings of Dr. King. Great post!!
Thanks for sharing those music clips. That was a taste of glory for sure. I have thought lately that in the present issues of your country, MLK and the civil rights movement truly showed the way forward. It is not an easy path.
P.S. as a musician - the musicians were absolutely fabulous, but I always wonder why the pianist chooses to play a Honda/Toyota type keyboard when there is a Bentley/Mercedes/BMW type piano sitting a few feet away????? LOL.
Amen
That was really great Holly, just what i needed. During a time of pastor change that was traumatic at my church I bailed for awhile and went down to my neighborhood black church for a refuge. I did know some people there from town and though was a type of foreign, it was a great blessing avenue. I was particularly happy to hear this guest speaker talk to the church about some silence, some non activity. What I was thinking of was the less than large participation at the No Kings rally's. I think i understand some of the reason's for that but it's too long of a letter to get into here. Anyway, yes, it was cool to hear The Battle Hymn of the Republic" given the true nature of the Civil War. It's an emotional one, nice statement by being sung at this service.
One of my favorite MLK day rememberence's is what Mahalia Jackson said to Rev. King at the March on Washington, 1963- "Tell 'em about the Dream, Martin", and then He launched into it.
Let us love, let us work towards the justice that will come with glory, and let the glory come!
Thank you, Holly!