As I write this, I am looking out my office window, directly into a window at the Supreme Court, where today, the case for marriage equality in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee is being made. The ruling from the highest court in the United States holds potential for anti-equality laws to be overturned nationwide. The Methodist Federation for Social Action gladly signed amicus briefs supporting marriage equality as a legal right - a right that is desired by many people of faith. We aided in the planning of the past Sunday's service of celebration for marriage equality at National City Christian Church in Washington, DC, and this morning we joined a multitude of faith leaders in a processional to the Supreme Court to serve as a witness to God's love and grace.
As we gathered in the midst of rainbow flags and equality signs, students from Wesley Theological Seminary hatched an idea. One of them ran to a corner store to procure bread and grape juice. With at least six United Methodist clergy present, God's love and grace was proclaimed in the sharing of the bread and cup. Most powerful was our recitation of The Lord's Prayer. Our words began softly, but as those around us realized what was happening, their voices added to ours in a resounding "Amen!" Next to me, a lesbian couple from Oklahoma had tears in their eyes as they accepted the invitation to holy communion.
Indeed, Washington, DC was filled with the beauty of rainbows today. But just 40 miles away, the city of Baltimore is buckled in pain. The distance between these two cities, on this day, could not be greater.
It is my fervent hope and prayer that those who seek equality for LGBTQ persons will join me in understanding the systemic racism, white privilege, and militarism of municipal police departments that has contributed to the violence on the streets of Baltimore. As Dr. Martin Luther King's words remind us, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." As a gay, white male, I cannot separate the work for LGBTQ justice from the work of justice for all those whom our systems continue to marginalize. Seeking peace must always begin with seeking justice. The photos from Baltimore remind us of this painful reality.
Tomorrow, I plan to travel to Baltimore with a colleague in ministry. My goal is simple: to listen and to learn. In this same spirit, I am asking the members and friends of the Methodist Federation for Social Action, to join with me in the following actions:
1) Pray. This may seem undemanding, but African-American clergy in Baltimore have called for this simple action.
2) Seek information from news sources other than network or cable news. Some suggestions are: The Root, Al Jezeera America, and Colorlines.
3) Whenever you find yourself making a statement about the actions of an entire group of people, stop and ask yourself, "Why did I just think/say that?"
4) Pray again. Or do it without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Together, we can continue the work of justice - which is greater than the work of equality - for all and seek shalom for our neighbors and friends.
Chett Pritchett serves as executive director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action based in Washington DC. This article is reprinted with his permission from MFSA's email bulletin.