St. Paul United Church of Christ

The Pastor’s Study You would have to have lived under a rock not to have some knowledge of the event that unfolded between February 26, 2012 and July 14 of this year when George Zimmerman was acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin. Everyone has an opinion. The law was (or was not) upheld. Justice was (or was not) served. The Florida “Stand your Ground” law, which we also have in Michigan, does (or does not) incite vigilantism. Zimmerman cannot be guilty of racism, because he is half Hispanic and took an African American girl to his prom. Trayvon shouldn’t have been wearing a hoodie. Everyone knows that is the uniform of crime among young men of color. I could go on and on, but you get the point. Now it must be said, that I rarely use this column to comment on a contemporary issue upon which we many have many different viewpoints. But this one hits too close to home for me to ignore. The following quote was shared on Facebook this week and it jarred several people I know right out of their complacency:

Imagine Your Daughter walking home from the store.

A man in a car starts following her, He gets out. He starts following her.

He starts chasing her. She knees him, or pepper sprays him,

or trips him. She is then Shot Dead.

She is the aggressor, and he is justified for shooting her in “self-defense.”

You will notice that I said this jarred OTHERS. It did not jar me because my son is half African American and I have lived with the reality and fear of racial profiling and the injustice and very real danger that comes with it for as long as he has lived. I still do. Let me offer a couple examples from my own life that speaks to the need to have a truly open and rigorously honest conversation about race in our country, in our church, in our families and in our own heads and hearts. The members of last year’s confirmation class are learning how to drive and getting their licenses. All parents are a bit anxious when they hand over the keys to their vehicle the first few times. We worry about their inexperience, possible reckless driving, slippery roads or other drivers. I worried about my son DWB – Driving While Black. I remember what I told Nick as clearly as if it was yesterday: “If you get pulled over by a policeman, roll down the window and put both hands on the wheel in plain sight. When you are addressed, no matter what is said or you are accused of, smile, be polite, and answer all questions. Do not argue even if you believe you are in the right. If you are told to get out of the car, make sure both of your hands can be clearly seen at all times by holding them over your head or placing them on the roof or the hood. When you are asked for your registration and driver’s license, do NOT reach for it in your pocket or in the glove compartment without announcing what you are doing first and even then make sure you move very slowly. If you are restrained or handled roughly, do not resist. We will deal with the injustice of it later in a court of law. I just want you to come home alive.”

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August 2013

Imagine having to have that conversation with your child. This is an example we all can recognize once it is brought to our attention. Racial profiling is just one form of racism and it exists within law enforcement and permeates our culture. As blatant and overt as it is, I could at least anticipate it and do something to help prepare my child for the very real possibility that he might well be a victim of it. My second example is more difficult to talk about, because it is not overt; it is unconscious and because of that it is not always easy to recognize, even in ourselves. We may be well-intentioned because we do not realize that what is being said or done is racist. One sunny May afternoon, I was driving home along Park Drive which passes through the Back Bay Fens in Boston. Shady sidewalks and bike paths wind their way throughout this lovely park that is a mix of formal and community gardens, ball fields, memorials and historic structures and is surrounded by some of Boston’s leading educational, cultural and medical institutions. Stuck at a red light, I found myself smiling as I watched students and interns meander along the river. Suddenly, I saw a young African American screech his bike to a halt as he cut off a petite, redheaded woman carrying an armful of books, which she dropped as she began to scream. At that moment, there was no-one else in sight, and so it was up to me. Just as I reached my cell phone to dial 911, her scream of fear turned to delight as she recognized the boy on the bike and they laughingly fell into each other’s arms. I began to cry and I didn’t stop crying for hours. I was married to and had mothered men of color who I loved and respected as much or more as I have ever loved or respected anyone in my life. If I could have this unconscious, knee-jerk racist response to this completely innocent scene, how could I ever expect my son to be safe? It was eye-opening and I began to pay closer attention and make a concerted effort to raise my awareness of the issues not only of racism, but of the privilege and power that light-skinned people have over those who are dark-skinned. I implore you to do the same. You may begin by picking up copies of a few articles I have placed on the black counter-top. I will also have Maria post a link to them and to others that I may come across on our website. While learning and exploring the many aspects and dimensions of racism, we may well feel overwhelmed that there is so much to learn and understand. Living within a society where racism exists, we have all been affected in some way or another. We have all experienced feelings of hurt, pain, anger, guilt, embarrassment, shame, or powerlessness. But, as Christians, we are called each day to realize God’s desire for us to be in community, and, through Christ’s example, we are encouraged to move ahead boldly. Here are just a few steps you may take:

Be open to talking about the issues of racism. Do not pretend it doesn’t exist. Check yourself to see if assumptions are not based on racial stereotypes or racial

prejudices. Be open to continuous learning to address the harm of racism. Recognize the privilege and power you may have based on racial group membership. Understand the impact your cultural values may have on others in your work or school or

worship setting. Be aware of your own racial prejudices and stereotypes about others.

As people of faith, we must view racism as an affront to God. Racism contradicts the belief that each of us is created in the image of God and, at its basic level, infers that some are more valued than others in the human family. In his life, Jesus modeled a deep reverence for the dignity of each person he met. Whether it was the Samaritan woman, the tax collector, the leper, or the prostitute, Jesus treated all people with the reverence that is their due as children of God in whose sacredness we share. God intends that we all live in harmony and that we practice a love that unites us so that we truly live our UCC motto: “That they may all be one.” (John 17:21) May it be so.

With Love in Christ, Pastor Terri

ST. PAUL UNITED CHURC H OF C HRIST

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The Consistory Meeting was held on July 9. Don’t forget August 5-9 (7-9 pm), St. Paul will hold its Vacation Bible School. This VBS will be organized and run by the Church of South India. On September 22, we will have a joint service at First United Methodist Church of Warren (5005 Chicago Road) for Blessing of the Animals. Note time change: 10:30 a.m. The sanctuary air conditioner is up and running. It is helping cool it down on those hot and humid days that we have been having. Thank you Steve and Gail! A big thank you to Gary Miller and Audrey Blasky for all the work they did on the trees and bushes in front of the church. They were trimmed and cut back and all excess was removed. We are still working on the bathrooms in and around the church. Both men’s and women’s bathroom downstairs need some work. We are looking at hiring that work out to get fixed. Our Community Dinners have been doing really well. Attendance has been anywhere from 30-60 people. Thank you to the many women that help with the food preparation and clean up. A small refrigerator has been purchased and placed in the coffee room. The cabinet for the Communion has also been moved into that room so now Communion can be prepared in the coffee room on the same level as the sanctuary. That will save the church members that prepare Communion from going up and down stairs. After some long discussions and talk about the Fish Dinner and desserts, the Consistory has agreed to start serving cake instead of pie. We will purchase chocolate and yellow cake. Some upcoming dates to save: August 11, we will have Breakfast Church at 10 a.m. It will be held in the large dining room. Breakfast will be served during our worship service. It should be a nice relaxing morning. The Sunday after Labor Day, Sept 8, will be the service for new members. On Dec 1, will be Hanging of the Greens.

Peace, Hope & Love, Erich Regier

Notes From The Consistory President

ST. PAUL UNITED CHURC H OF C HRIST

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ST. PAUL UNITED CHURC H OF C HRIST

Please don’t forget SPUCC and remember to mail in your pledges, tithes and offerings even if you are away on vacation. This way we won’t fall behind in our operating obligations such as payroll, utilities, etc.

Suzanna’s Boutique is open each Sunday after service. Come to the choir room and see the lovely items for sale.

August 4 Gary Coleman 11 Bonnie Burk 18 Shirene Cece-Clements 25 Dick Schuster

Women’s Overall Meeting on September 17 at 10 a.m. will have a special craft demonstration of making Scandinavian wood shaving ornaments by Jan Dolland, who did homemade chocolates at the last Overall. You do not have to belong to a circle to join us. This is open to all women and men who would like to just watch or participate in making an ornament. She will bring all the materials to make one ornament for $3 or for $7, you can purchase a kit for 6 or 7 ornaments. Do come!

Thank you, Circle I

BREAKFAST CHURCH SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

10 AM

BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICE IN THE LARGE DINING ROOM

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Wednesday, August 7 4:30-6:30 pm

ST. PAUL UNITED CHURC H OF C HRIST

Canales Academy is proud to present the first of an ongoing musical worship series: The Sacred Composers Showcase. This musical service will feature all original music and will include a variety of contemporary genres. The purpose of this program is to allow new composers of all styles to present their sacred music in the context of biblical readings, personal testimony and prayer. A portion of the offering will be dedicated to St. Paul United Church of Christ. Please join us in the sanctuary on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. after the Community Supper.

August 9 Cindy Weiler 11 Betty Wolgast 24 Ron Austin 25 Pastor Terri

You are invited to bring cut flowers from your garden to

decorate our altar during the summer. No need to sign up.

The more, the better!

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ST. PAUL UNITED CHURC H OF C HRIST

SHUT INS

Edith Anthony Walter & Wanda Bailey Marilyn Dopp Esther Hornyak Margaret Kelly

Mae St Clair Joan Pinegar Susan Schlemmer Irene Stricker Dorothy Zink

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SENIOR DAY Senior citizens residing in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties are invited to enjoy a special day at the Detroit Zoo on Wednesday, September 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seniors 62 and older and their caregivers receive free admission and parking. Senior Day features live music, tractor train tours, bingo, zookeeper talks and a senior resource area. If you’re interested in going, please let Maria know by August 28 and she'll see if enough people want to carpool together.

If you are not able to attend church, a recording of the service is available. Please call the office and Maria will make a copy and leave it for you on the black countertop. We can also mail you a copy if you are unable to pick it up. You will need a CD player to listen to it.