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Below are transcripts of comments
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Michael
E. Livingston From the Balcony of the
Lorraine Motel on the occasion of the We
marched here, to this sacred place.
A symbolism etched in the palm of God’s hand.
It touches and would break our hearts, if it were not for God’s
grace and our rebirth in hope. We marched here, our feet recalling the
marching of the Civil Rights movement. Walking for freedom, toward
liberation from unjust, fundamentally inhuman social structures. Was
there any other way to come here? We stand on ground made by God, made
priceless by the blood of a prophet, Martin Luther King Jr., by name. COCU
has come to Memphis to die so that our churches, so that our people can
live together. So that we can, NO, so that we will--it has ever been
that we could--so that we will gather around the Lord’s Table—together—in
all those places we have dined with our own kind. What a
denial of the one who offered his body and blood for the world. Churches
Uniting in Christ comes to this balcony, not the elevated pulpit of a
cathedral, to promise to fight racism together, to be the church of
Jesus Christ proclaiming and doing justice and seeking peace. We begin
life together as ambassadors of reconciliation in a world sold on the
idolatry of exclusive identities in what we all agree is the family of
one God in whose image we are all made. Do we have any good news for our
war weary world? In
the grace and by the providence of God we do! The
International Council of Community Churches offers itself, its members
and its congregations, a living sacrifice to this vision of unity that
has come to life in Churches Uniting in Christ. It is a privilege for me
to sign this pledge to combat racism on behalf of the International
Council of Community Churches. ###
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Since September 11, Americans have had the feeling that the world
is coming In the midst of this current world context, surely the inauguration
of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has always said,
"Christian unity ###
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INAUGURAL
STATEMENT The inauguration of
Churches Uniting In Christ is a magnificent event and a The greatest challenge
before us is to unite these nine churches at the I believe that we will
break through the barriers that have separated us I am moved by the
conviction that Jesus Christ wills that His Church be one. ###
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INAUGURAL
STATEMENT The
road to this historic occasion has been long and difficult. Almost forty
years ago the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. organized
the first March on Washington to support proposed civil rights
legislation. Five years after that event, though not in vain, his blood
was shed and his earthly life vanished. In that same decade, the dream of what
today we call Churches Uniting in Christ was born. After forty years of
struggles, but driven by a relentless spirit, we are celebrating a
victory in our quest for the unity of the Christian Church. Today these
two dreams unite in a spiritual and moral obligation to eradicate
racism. As Presbyterian Christians we repent of
the complicity of many of our churches who perpetuate ideologies that
show we have neither loved one another nor given glory to God. Today
we are here to affirm the recommitment of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
to focus its attention on the need to combat racism within and among our
churches, in all churches, and in society. “We trust in God the Holy
Spirit, (who) gives us courage…to unmask idolatries in church and
culture, hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with
others for justice, freedom, and peace.” (Brief Statement of Faith) That is our firm commitment and will remain so until we overcome the powers that separate us. ###
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Bishop
Elias G. Galvan
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JOINT
INAUGURAL STATEMENT |
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The inauguration in Memphis marks a culmination of conversations and the
beginning what United Methodists hope to be a new model for church
relationships. As United Methodists, we hope that the years of
discussion can bear fruit through local church communities treating each
other differently. For example, as Churches Uniting in Christ together
in a local community, United Methodists and Presbyterians (or other
partners) might join together in their mission outreach, cooperate in
new church development, have joint baptismal certificates, and
participate in each other’s ordinations.
The plan complements other work within
the United Methodist Church, especially plans for repentance and
reconciliation over historic divisions caused by race. We celebrate and
commit to the powerful statements developed within the Consultation of
combating white skin color privilege within the United States, and
especially, within our churches. ### |
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