As For Me and My House
I am a pastor and a parent. In response to the upcoming work stoppage involving CPS and the Teachers Union, I am using this opportunity to educate my children on the importance of unions and the value of having a powerful voice to make the demands of justice heard in the halls of power. On Thursday, our family will be going to the picket line at Disney Magnet Elementary to stand in solidarity with the teachers and let them know that we are with them in the fight for fairness. We believe that every student in Chicago deserves a quality education - regardless of where they live. Your zip code should not limit your learning because every child is precious in God's sight.
Every child should be valued likewise by Chicago Public Schools.
As a pastor we are also opening the doors of our church to the community and its families, so that those children who need a safe place to play can find sanctuary at Ravenswood UCC. Our gymnasium will be open for games and activities from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday and we ask for your support as we help our community through this challenge.
Lastly, as a person of faith, I am going to pray. I am going to ask God to soften the hearts of those at the negotiating table and help them see the issues at stake in this dispute and bring it to a swift and just resolution. Join me in doing the same.
Rev. Jason W. Coulter
Pastor of Ravenswood United Church of Christ
Litany: Come, Gracious God, Come…
By Rev. Jason W. Coulter
One: God of Grace, God of Glory, we call upon you, humbly asking that you be with us this day as we consider your kingdom and pray for our city;
Many: Come down from the mountain top, O God, and show your presence among the people.
One: We live in a world where the few have so much and the many so little, where the basic needs of food, water, shelter and education are given to those who already have, instead of those in need.
Many: Come down from the mountain top, O God, and demonstrate your compassion.
One: In our City of Chicago, the wealthy and entitled use their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of others, systemic violence claims innocent lives, and power is employed by the rich to exploit and oppress.
Many: Come down from the mountain top, O God, and reveal your righteousness.
One: In our communities, working and middle-class families struggle mightily to earn a living, pay the rent and provide for their families while the wealthy live off the labor of others.
Many: Come down from the mountain top, O God, and deliver your justice.
One: In our schools, classrooms are over-crowded and teachers are over-burdened. Our children need libraries, counselors, technology, the arts and the resources to learn and live and thrive.
Many: Come down from the mountain top, O God, and impart your fairness.
One: Come down from the mountain top, O God, incline your ear to our human condition.
Many: Hear our prayer, O God, for we know with you, all things can be made new.
One: What is broken can be repaired, what is ruptured can be reconciled, what is wrong can be made right.
All: Inspire us to be your agents of change. Give us strength in the work for justice and mercy. Help us to transform our schools, our city and the entire world so that it reflects your kingdom and your love. Amen.