Yes, I'm a minister. No, I don't have a church.

I was really mad about racism today, and reminded that we are all more than our worst moments (derived from Sister Helen Prejean's ministry and work). Some folks thought this liturgy was pretty good, so I'm posting it in case anyone else wants to use it. 
 MLK Worship January 20, 2016 Presbyterian Center Chapel Original by Laura M. Cheifetz, and quoted text from from Great Thanksgiving H in the Book of Common Worship (and also Scripture) 
 Invitation 
 Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God. They have come from east and west, from north and south. They came in great joy and with great suffering. They were invaded, colonized, abducted, trafficked to generate wealth for others, their governments overthrown so that others might profit, their lands stolen from them and their children. They are the ones who spread suffering throughout the world, colonizers, invaders, traffickers, and enslavers, overthrowing governments for their own small-minded desires...

Questions for the reader are in  a different font . This is the fifth blog post for the  Companions on the Inner Way  summer retreat. The featured speaker is  Enuma Okoro . You can find the other blog posts here: Blogging for Companions on the Inner Way: It’s Not About Me.  Seeking Home: Where Do We Come From?  Who Have We Become? UnBelonging Beloved After our break yesterday, we had our Lectio group. The Scripture passage was John 15:18-21 . I am not particularly fond of the Gospel of John. And this is a particularly uncomfortable passage. The phrase that stood out to me was “on account of my name.” What the heck is that about? I wondered. I went to the art room (at least I’m persistent, eh?) and started with oil pastels. I wanted to draw the vortex that can be the national church. I’m not saying this because I don’t love my work, or where I work, or my colleagues. It is a natural hazard of being national staff that it can become a vorte...