A Word from Laura: A Voice of Wisdom for Today
Western Friends,
My gratitude to all of you who stayed following worship for a time to reflect on the events surrounding the mob insurrection at the Capitol. As we look forward to next week – to remembering Martin Luther King’s birthday, to the transfer of power to a new administration – I remember Susie Farr’s words on Sunday, “I don’t want to forget what happened.”
The white supremacy stirred up by the president and others cannot be ignored. While the violence continues to be disturbing, I’ve also been pleased by the response of corporations, some even going so far as to ask for a “refund” from Josh Hawley in terms of campaign contributions!
Session Notes
Your elected Session sat for its first regular monthly meeting of the year on Tuesday (by Zoom, of course). We welcomed two new elders, Jerry Hoganson and Greta Morris.
Like many January meetings, this meeting was mostly organizational. Rebecca Jackson was reelected Clerk of Session and Ray Sendejas reelected church Treasurer.
The Church and the Challenge of Antiracism
On January 24, Bill Saint, Sara Parker and Susie Farr will present ideas and concepts from a Next Church webinar entitled The Challenge of Antiracism. Next Church is a purposeful relational community of Presbyterian leaders whose mission is to strengthen a vibrant and thriving PC(USA) that shares the good news of Jesus Christ in ways that matter to and have impact on God’s evolving world. It works to cultivate congregations and leaders who work in sustained, effective, and faithful ways to promote God’s transformation of our communities for the common good.
A Word from Laura: A Response to Wednesday's Violence
Western Friends,
We have lived through another dark day in our nation’s capital. My friends have used all kinds of words to describe it: “violence… insurrection… white supremacist… terrorism… hate… sedition…” (those are the words I can print in a church email).
We have felt all kinds of things over the last day: anger, grief, trauma, tears, shock, and relief. I’ve noticed a level of sentiment not felt since September 11, 2001.
WPC Anti-Racism Group: Jan 7
On Jan 7 at 7pm, the Western Presbyterian anti-racism group will hold its monthly meeting with special guest speaker Christy Lopez, a professor at Georgetown Law, co-leader of the school’s Innovative Policing Program, and Washington Post contributing columnist. Her bio is here: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/christy-e-lopez.