By Betty Hertz
I participated in the 20-day Reconciliation Community Challenge in April. All the sessions were informative, but the one presented by Pastor Parker entitled "I want to be an antiracist" has been simmering in my mind and my soul. I thought not being a racist was the same as being an antiracist. In his message, Pastor Parker said, "antiracist is when people actively seek not only to raise awareness but turn awareness into action." While increasing my awareness of my racism, I feel God nudging me to act.
Not one to let me rest for long, God tapped me on the shoulder as I worked on an assignment for the Leading Public Prayer class. The project was to write a lament about a local church or community issue, referring to Psalms as examples of laments. Immediately the brokenness of the Anchorage community came to mind, as did the words from Pastor Parker.
I also discovered I still held anger over a past racist event. I was with a friend when she shouted: "get a job" to a homeless person! I didn't do or say anything that day. I hid my shame and anger. Today I believe I would reach out to the homeless person with compassion, and I would share my disapproval of my friend's actions. Thinking about Pastor Parker's message and about that past incident, I wrote this lament.
A Lament for a Broken Community
God of all humanity,
You created all in your image
Your steadfast love sustains us.
We turn to you as we experience the hate in our community.
The division is deep.
We suffer with the homeless
who can't find housing or mental health assistance.
Our hearts are heavy, and we feel powerless to understand those who
don't show compassion and don't want to work together.
Where are you, God? How long must the division go on?
The comfortable shout angrily at the less fortunate.
Silence those who cry out, "Get a job!"
Stop the "not in my neighborhood" mentality.
Great Healer,
We know You will continue to guide us.
We know You will teach us how to be reconcilers.
Thanks be to you, O, God!
Betty Hertz is a longtime member of St John UMC, a Stephen Minister and a member of SPRC. When not doing volunteer work, she is playing with her three goofy dogs.