Freedom With An Urgency of Now
“This Lenten season arrives as our nation faces a crossroads of irreconcilable visions of democracy,” reflects Dr. Christophe Ringer in his devotion Creating Space for Beloved Community. We hold our world in prayer and remain in solidarity with people oppressed everywhere, including Ukraine and Palestine. The Community Renewal Society denounces these innumerable acts of violence across the world. The common threads of our beautiful humanity connects us and so does the interconnectedness of our shared struggles. Thus, we must break the protocol of silence and be for our neighbors what we seek for our own communities, block, families and friends. That may involve speaking truth to power, bearing witness to their lament, and sharing in the collective work and responsibility to decry bigotry in all of its forms.
Sign the petition to help provide safe passage for Africans and all people of colour out of Ukraine.
It is appropriate for us to share in the global lament in response to the tragedies our siblings in Ukraine are facing. And, we must also hold this lament for the tragedies and crimes against humanity that are comparably occurring in Palestine and non-European nations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said that "This war is for the world… for democracy and freedom everywhere." We know the same can be said for the struggles of Palestinians where we witness the annexation of their land and exploitation of their resources.
Palestine remains illegally occupied by Israel without equitable outcry as their homes are demolished and natives are criminalized and killed for daring to fight for their freedom and home land. Throwing rocks cannot be deemed savage in one nation, while throwing molotov cocktails is deemed heroic in another. Both nations seek freedom with an urgency of now.
Dr. Ringer calls us to action with these words: “To fight for this democracy, a democracy where all people can flourish will take all of the courage we have. This means facing our own lingering fears about what such a society might entail. And what it might cost us.”
We pray for peace in Ukraine. God receive our prayers. We pray for peace in Palestine. God receive our prayers. We pray for global solidarity, equity, and peace abound. God receive our prayers. Amen.
In Solidarity,
Rev. Dr. Waltrina N. Middleton
Executive Director
And the staff of Community Renewal Society
P.S. South Asian and African students call for equity among Ukraine crisis