In Whatever Forms They Present Themselves

In Whatever Forms They Present Themselves

Matthew 3:13-17, Baptism of Jesus

This post adapted from a sermon preached by the author at Saint Paul UMC Omaha, January 11/12, 2020. 

When I was young, my parents were in an accident. An outcome was that one of them has utilized a wheelchair for mobility for close to 50 years. I remember family outings as a child in those pre-ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) days. More times than I would want to count we were denied entrance to restaurants, hotels, churches, or public meeting spaces because one of us was physically unable to enter. I loathed stairs and narrow doorways. I thought things would get better with the passage of the ADA in the early 90s, and in some places we did see great improvement. Yet, close to thirty years after its passage, I'll still encounter a business owner or manager who will shake their head, look down at us and say, "Ohhhhhhh. Sorry. We are grandfathered in." Just as bad is the restaurant where someone has piled up all the highchairs in what was an ADA-compliant hallway until it became a storage space because "we didn't know anyone would need the door to open all the way." 

This January, the United Methodist congregation I serve is one of a group in Omaha that is focusing on our baptismal vows, focusing specifically on our promise to "resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves." These words are found in the baptismal liturgy printed in our hymnals, and speak to our commitment as disciples to not just agree to be members of a church but to remember God's claim on our lives. 

In the third chapter of Matthew, we hear these words, "this is my son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." I think it is noteworthy that these words are spoken at the time of Jesus' baptism, at the very beginning of his ministry - before the healings and miracles and teachings. When we remember our baptism, we remember that we, too, are named and claimed as God's beloved children, just as we are. And part of that claim is our future ministry of resisting evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. 

I've been reflecting that our task might not be just about the resistance to the evil, but recognizing that at various times in our lives, different ones of us have the privilege of not being aware of the many forms of evil, injustice and oppression that present themselves. In my case, because I've observed the unwelcome of people with different physical abilities, I'm more aware of those forms of oppression. But it took a friend sharing with me about the time her own daughter was pulled over in their driveway because the police officer assumed she had stolen her own car for me to figure out why some people might not always want to ask the police for help. I had the luxury of not experiencing racism directed at my own child; I had the privilege of not seeing unequal treatment in our community. 

I think we as Christians are better equipped to resist evil, injustice and oppression when we widen our sense of neighborhood; when we decide to learn about people's lives who have different experiences than our own. I think we are best equipped for being open to learning when we start from God's claim on our lives and those who we encounter - as God's beloved children; people who are not perfect but know themselves to be on a journey together. 

I want to return to the story where I began, because I learned something new last week that I found horrifying and around which I have resolved to make a change. I was remembering how bad it felt to have people use the phrase "grandfathered in," and decided I would take a moment to find the beginning point of the phrase that evoked such an emotional response in me. 

It turns out that this phrase, which I myself have used (incorrectly) to mean something like "a short undefined implementation period" has its genesis in the late 19th century in the United States. It's a Jim Crow phrase. It originated after the Voting Rights act when Southern communities added their own laws that were designed to prevent former slaves from voting; things like poll taxes and literacy tests. Not all white former voters were able to pass those tests, so they were "grandfathered in," meaning that the new restrictive laws that were layered over the Voting Rights act did not apply to white men, only to former slaves. 

I am still angry that I have participated in evil, injustice and oppression via my own ignorance by using a phrase that was born of a will to harm people. But I also know that we are a people claimed for a new future. And I am resolved to not only banish this phrase from my own usage, but to learn more about additional phrases, songs, and other rhetorical forms that are carryovers from this era. When I discover I am part of a group working on an implementation phase, I will ask for a specific timeline for change, what accommodations can be made to be a bridge between the now and the desired future (I understand that elevators are not installed overnight), and if I am in a big ol United Methodist church meeting and hear the phrase "grandfathered," I have already warned my congregation that I will be the person who raises her hand and demands that we instead refer to an implementation phase with specific conditions and accountability. 

Named and claimed - is who we already are. Resisting evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms the present themselves - I think this is the call to us as the named and claimed, in this season and all those seasons to come. I give thanks for the journey. 

SA 

Sabbath Artist

Related links: 

Why I wrote the Americans With Disabilities Act, Washington Post: Why I wrote the ADA

2013 NPR story on history of "Grandfather Clause" NPR Grandfather Clause

Epiphany #resistharm Letter-writing Station tips

Hosting an Epiphany Letter-writing station in support on the #resistharm movement 

Why a letter-writing station? Writing a letter is one way to practice being an advocate, which is a form of resistance. While event planners may have significant experience with advocacy and resistance, it is likely that a number of people joining us for worship will be new to advocacy. Writing a letter is a familiar rhetorical form that allows for personal expression but also eases the stress some might feel in an in-person encounter or public speech. Be sure to remind people that writing a letter “counts,” their words and feelings matter, and we are thankful they have taken the time to express themselves.

In the Great Plains, we have asked people to write our Bishop to ask him to assist us in the quest to #resistharm. The Topeka worship service has a goal of gathering letters and delivering them after the service to the Conference office, which is also located in Topeka. The Omaha location for the Epiphany #resistharm worship service will gather letters and mail them to the office on the following Monday. Different writers will have different interpretations of what it means to resist harm; our goal is to help them express their thoughts and feelings in written form. 

Hot tips for letter-writing stations: Set up tables with chairs. Have ready in good quantity: pens and pencils that actually write; notecards and/or paper with envelopes; a list of possible general points to help writers focus their thoughts; post the name and address of who you are writing - no one likes a blank envelope - and a basket or box in which completed missives can be placed.

Even hotter tip: I'll be suggesting that all authors write their name legibly above or below their signature, list their home church, make sure retired pastors list that fact and throw in one or two of the towns they served; and include their mailing or email address just in case the recipient wants to write back. 

A bit more related to expression-inclusivity: If you've got a scrap-booker in your life, you might see if they have a decorative rubber stamp of a "stamp" or other appropriate envelope decor. I am guessing 24% of attendees would be more enthusiastic about writing a note if they knew there would be some color/design work involved. For a similar reason, a person might want to include some pieces of plain paper and crayons or markers in case participants who don't yet write, like to doodle, or need extra space would like to express themselves with personal artwork. 

The following excerpt from the Great Plains UMCNext newsletter gives some background on the context and suggested content for letters written in our Conference; we would strongly suggest planners in other locations consider their own context when inviting letters. 

On Monday November 11, Bishop Saenz issued a letter to the Great Plains conference regarding LGBTQ ordination, same-gender weddings, and the implementation of the Traditional Plan beginning January 1. He wrote about the process of charges, complaints, and trials to provide clarity and information. He does see the process of complaints and charges as divisive, having adverse impacts, and drawing us away from the mission. Even so, he writes that he is bound by the discipline and will “respond to all complaints that are submitted” according to the church processes he vowed to follow in his consecration.

We respect his episcopal authority. We empathize with the difficulty of guiding and pastoring the entirety of the Great Plains, the whole divided, beautiful, painful, transformative, and tense bunch of us. We also disagree with his decision to process complaints submitted around LGBTQ ordination and same-gender weddings. He asks all sides to have patience. He asks for folks to prayerfully consider before filing any charges and for folks to “wait with hope until after General Conference to celebrate same-gender marriages.” In twenty years, 5 months may feel like nothing. But we know it won’t really be 5 months. Most GC 2020 legislation submitted involves another called GC in the following years. Which General Conference are our LGBTQ siblings supposed to wait for to get married in the church that baptized them? Which General Conference is our LGBTQ siblings called into ministry supposed to wait for to have the permission to exist authentically? To quote the Rev. Dr. King, who knew the pain of the word ‘wait,’ “we must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.”

We ask you to write letters respectfully disagreeing with Bishop Saenz’s decision. We believe the least harmful path and most fruitful use of time is not having trials and not receiving complaints centered on same-sex weddings and the sexual orientation of clergy. We have included a sample letter and writing guide for your use. While making the ask, the most important thing you can do in this letter is tell your story. Give the Bishop your voice to hold in his heart and mind. We know he cares deeply about the Great Plains, and we want the Bishop to hear your stories.