Peace and Justice on our Streets

Lord, Give Us Courage to See
Palm Sunday, 29 March, 2015, Elkhart, Indiana


    The Elkhart Advocates for Peace and Justice celebrated their fifth annual Palm Sunday Peace Parade, beginning at Hively Mennonite Church, regrouping at Prairie Street Mennonite Church and concluding at the Plaza in downtown Elkhart.

    Some of the groups represented included Hively Mennonite Church, St James AME Church, Belmont Mennonite Church, First Congregational UCC, Prairie Street Mennonite, Faith Mennonite (of Minneapolis, MN), Elkhart City Councilperson Rod Roberson, many religiously non-aligned participants, LaCasa, and three T4781 board members.

    A couple participants, in dialogue with their church leadership, carried a Rainbow Flag during the procession to remind us that just as towns such as neighboring Goshen are dealing with the legacy of being a "Sundown town," Indiana has now come under the shadow of the state's Restoration of Religious Freedom Act, which claims to restore religious freedom by empowering individuals and corporations in the state of Indiana to exempt themselves from basic human rights laws, codes and business standards, leaving room for discrimination against gays and lesbians, divorcees, unmarried couples, inter-racial couples, non-Christians or just about anyone whose lifestyle, political beliefs, or religious understandings fall short of the Indiana businesspersons' own private esteem.

    In that vein, it would seem important to indicate to others that not-all churches discriminate and that Indiana is full of businesses, professionals, for-profits, non-profits, and just plain ordinary citizens that do not discriminate but call for an open and diverse society in which all are welcome to buy, sell, work, play, live, worship, and create.

    Warm hearts and bright smiles challenged the cold rain, and St James' worship team warmed everyone up with music prior to Roberson's remarks.

From the Litany:

- From the belief that we are alone in this struggle
    Lord, teach us to work together and trust in You

- When we feel rage at injustice
     Empower us to action, rooted in Your Compassion and Grace

- For the creativity and vision to crate a just and peaceful society
    Lord, we pray

- When we take ourselves too seriously
    Lord, grant us a sense of humor for the long haul

- When we feel overwhelmed in the face of the powers of the world
    Remind us that You have walked the path before us 

- A living example of Love, Justice, and Mercy even in the face of death
    As we seek Your kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven

 

 

Images courtesy T4781, Elkhart, IN

If you missed the Palm Sunday Peace Parade, then please consider joining St James AME in the Passion Week Prayer Walk:

image courtesy St James AME Church, Elkhart, IN