By Rev. Dr. Davena L. Creer-Jones, Conference Minister
Today as I sit on my porch in deep prayer and reflection on this 4th of July Independence Day, I can’t help but think of what life was like 250 years ago in real time. Sure, history books, movies, documentaries, loved ones tell the stories of past times. But to live in, through and to survive is an entirely different thing.
One of the stories my great-grandmother Lille Mae (born 1889) shared with me about black folk in her day was that they didn’t have to be connected by blood to be there for one another. If a chicken stew was prepared during the struggle all gathered with what they had or didn’t have to break bread together with the promise that Jesus was with them that evening for supper and would be there the next day. They prayed together knowing in their heart and soul that “trouble don’t last always” that weeping may endure for a night BUT JOY…..Glory hallelujah will come in the morning.
People came together in their communities collectively then and now today to pray vigilantly, to say NO to power and privilege to speak life into each other’s lives and not death, hatred, or gossip.
Many people gather on this day to celebrate America, others protest the times we are currently living in, while other seek God, the Holy Creator, their Higher Power to draw strength and hope for another day. What will come of all that is going on in the political realm of the state of the world?
Many have not recovered from the wrath of COVID-19; it destroyed lives all over the world. Our Pastors, Pastoral Care teams, Deacons, and church members have not had time to catch their breath to live in the victories won, overcome and all the ways the Body of Christ came together to be family during COVID. Making a way for all to join worship, Bible study, school, work, fellowship and small circles of support-via technology. Some did not survive. And yet, Praise be to God the Highest…families made it, students completed their educational milestones even via Drive-through graduation ceremonies. With the help of Christ Jesus Our Lord and Savior, we made it through and we will make it through this turbulent time as well.
Some are missing their loved ones who can’t celebrate freedom because ICE, by Government order, has captured and now hold hostage mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, siblings, fathers, brothers, and sons in detention centers. Many are living this day for the first time without loved ones who were here last year. Some are estranged from loved ones, from family and friends, due to misunderstandings through words spoken and unspoken. Our local Churches, too, battle with hard truths, troubled waters, because it’s often easy to speak without prayerful thought. We should all keep in mind the phrase “may the words and meditation of my mouth be acceptable and pleasing unto you oh God”.
It is my hope and prayer that we as the Northern California Nevada Conference will continue to prayerfully engage with one another as Christ Jesus had ordained it be so, with love, unconditional love, “may we love one another as Christ loves us.” God help us to listen attentively without placing a period where there should be a comma, because as Rev. Ron Buford proclaimed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit…. God is Still Speaking and yes, even today on this 4th of July while the world is in turmoil and chaos, WE are Better Together! Let us the NCNC be the United Church of Christ.
