The Use of Violence

by Hailey Lyons

I am not the only one who watched the storming of the Capitol in utter horror. And I am certainly not the only one who watched it without surprise. We knew this was coming, we knew for decades that this was going to happen.

What was unexpected to the neoliberals was what I and other marginalized peoples have been warning about for decades. As we departed from Evangelicalism and conservative ideologies, as we grew up in open opposition to the powers that oppress us, and as we ran to mainline and progressive havens, we warned about the dangers to come. But we were not heard. Instead, we could neither truly escape the past nor shrug off the painful present, leaving us in rage and silence.

The terrorists that stormed the Capitol did so with signs like ‘Jesus Saves’ and American flags, Confederate flags, and ‘Proud American Christian’ flags. Their jubilance was palpable as they attacked the press and stood on the Capitol for steps an hours-long photo-op. They invaded offices of members of Congress, planted bombs, and posed in the chambers themselves. Their purpose was clear: to defy the will of the people and vaunt the power of white supremacy and Christian nationalism.

And yet, all I see from the media and from ecumenical responses are denouncements of violence. The media and our political institutions use symbolic language to talk about America’s status as a place of peace and hope. Church leaders talk about Jesus’ nonviolence as if it were enshrouded in sacred history and understood as truth by all. They shame their institutions and denominations.

To say that Jesus was nonviolent is to ignore the Scriptures. 

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Thanks to the wonderful Holly Herman for reading ALL of your church newsletters and compiling the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches.

If you’d like a separate article about your news to appear on the website and The Loop, please submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
 

Reverend Dr. Dosia Carlson, Minister Emeritus of Church of the Beatitudes, and Founder of Duet: Partners in Health and Aging (formerly Center DOAR), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, three days after her 91st birthday, following complications from the COVID-19 virus.  Dosia was truly a Beatitudes Saint who understood how to make God's love real for all who knew and loved her. In addition to her pastoral and professional accomplishments, she was an accomplished composer of hymns. Her longtime friend, Esther Rings, shared that prior to her death she had a love-filled conversation with her brother (Rev) Bob and sister-in-law Millie (Carlson) in which she shared one of her many favorite hymns:  “Oh Jesus, I Have Promised to Serve Thee to the End.”  With her compromised breathing, she continued to the end, “my master and my friend. She loved life, loved people, and was undeniably a friend. Dosia’s loving spirit will remain with each person she has touched. 

We also pass along our condolences to The Rev. Paul Whitlock, pastor of Church of the Palms, and his family, on the death of his father, John Whitlock, who passed away early last Tuesday morning. 

United Church of Santa Fe will hold a virtual service on the eve of Inauguration Day, January 19th, for a time of prayer, musical reflection, and readings as they hold the new President and Vice-President, all elected officials, and our nation in prayer. 

In response to several members of Casas Adobes requesting an organized prayer time to address their spiritual needs surrounding the inauguration, they also will gather in the spirit of prayer on Tuesday for a shared vigil of peace from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.  People will sign up for a specific half hour to pray at home.

The UCC is offering a worship service on January 19 at 1:30PM MST. The topic is “Building Back Hope: A Service of Release and Renewal.” The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III will be preaching.  Click here to register: 

https://ucc.zoom.us/webinar/registerWN_yqhMydXYS7CqdgGtOiVJgw

First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque has formed a group to talk about “What Next?” They are looking at ways to heal the divide in our country by starting locally and hoping to establish a relationship with a congregation that is very different than they are. 

Congratulations to Rev. Jay Deskins who is now the Faith and Community Outreach Coordinator at Interfaith Community Services (ICS) in Tucson.  Oro Valley UCC got to know and appreciate Pastor Jay last summer when he led many of their worship services.

In worship last Sunday, Scottsdale UCC celebrated Epiphany in part by engaging in their 2nd annual distribution of Star Words to accompany members throughout the year. Obviously, the logistics had to adapt to the now primarily virtual world, so drawing a paper star from a basket wasn’t an option this year. Instead, a spreadsheet of words (primarily from Brene Brown’s values list) was created and, as people entered the virtual sanctuary, their names were typed next to the word corresponding to the order in which they had arrived. When the time in the service came for the distribution of the words,  the spreadsheet of words and names was shared with the congregation.

Church of the Red Rocks held a coat drive to benefit Old Town Mission in Sedona and collected 97 coats!  Great job!  For this month, folks are asked to donate sheets, towels, pillows, and other "white sale" items for future residents of Hope House, a transitional housing mission of the church.  As residents move into permanent housing, they will be able to take their linens and bath items with them.