Sunday morning I woke to this news story, and knew I needed to share it with the congregation. We do not have easy video access in the sanctuary, so my description had to suffice. Several videos are online- here's one.
Last night fifty people purchased tickets to the St. Louis
Symphony’s performance of Brahms German Requiem. They put on nice clothes, and
took their seats.
As the intermission was coming to an end, two of the people
stood and started signing a Requiem to Michael Brown, the young unarmed black
man shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri two months ago.
“Justice for Mike Brown is justice for us all. Which side are
you on, friend, which side are you on?”
Others in the group joined in the requiem, displayed banners,
and joined in a chant – Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. And then they peaceably dispersed, no need
for ushers or arrests. Video of the event shows some of the audience and the
orchestra applauding, others just watching.
“Justice for Mike Brown is justice for us all. Which side are
you on, friend, which side are you on?”
William Ellery Channing would have been appalled at this display
and this disruption of ‘civilized things’, though let's remember, this happened
during intermission, not while the orchestra was performing. But he agreed with
the idea to his core—black lives matter. Justice for us all.
KenShuman reminds us - Becoming a peacemaker
requires courage, intentionality, & perseverance. If you decide to become a peacemaker you
will have to fight for it in your own life.
Folks, our families, our church, and our world need us to be
peacemakers. Let’s find and stay to our courage, and build that better
world.
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