The Nehemiah Assembly: packed like sardines for justice
After posting about the B.R.E.A.D. Assembly, and in particular, having shared the words of my rector (one of the co-presidents of the organization) emphasizing that what is needed most at these annual assemblies is that large number of people *show up*, I had to do just that.
I did this in spite of the fact that--well, big crowds just aren't my thing. I'm an introvert by nature, and I pretty quickly end up with a feeling of sensory overload in this kind of situation. Back in December, in fact, I put together this visual to express my feelings about the Christmas season and the holiday shopping experience.
And, let me tell you, the place was *packed*. Registration was to take place between 6:15 and 6:45, and even though I arrived at Congregation Tifereth Israel toward the beginning of that time frame, the large parking lot was already full at that point.
Based on how full the place was--standing room only--it was announced that we easily surpassed the 2000 mark, which is what the organizers had been hoping for. As I walked into the main room, some people from my parish called my name, and I carefully made my way into the row where they were seated. I noticed that an older gentleman from my church, who used to come to the peace rallies on High Street (and always had resources to share like copies of the Hightower Lowdown or materials from Oxfam) had managed to attend. He isn't in church too often these days because of health issues and the fact that it's just too uncomfortable for him to sit in the hard pew for over an hour most Sundays.
So if he could make it out last night, as well as any number of other people with similar hardships, I guess it wasn't a particularly big sacrifice for me to do the same.
I'm glad I was there to be a part of that--and to be a witness to it. Over 2000 people from different faith tranditions gathered under one roof--not to pass an amendment making same sex marriage even more illegal than it already is, but out of our shared belief that we must do something about the tragically low high school graduation rates in Columbus.
As crowded as that place was, it's amazing that I was able to spot so many familiar faces. My supervisor from my temp project was there with his wife. And I saw Bob Shemansky and said hi. (He commented on what a unique experience that Meet the Bloggers interview was, once I reminded him that that's where I'd met him.)
I want to write more about this meeting once I have a little more time, and once one of my contacts has sent me a picture I can include. For now, I'll just leave you all with the song we sang at the beginning of the meeting, to the tune of the Gospel song, Victory is Mine:
Justice is mine, Justice is mine. Justice, today, is mine.
I told sickness get thee behind. Access to healthcare is mine.
...I told truancy get the behind. Access to learning is mine.
...I told unemployment get thee behind. Access to jobs is mine.
...I told homelessness get thee behind. Access to housing is mine.
...I told injustice get thee behind, justice today is mine.
I've uploaded the audio of that part here.
And I also want to leave you tonight with this thought. Blackwell and his "Patriot Pastors" may be the ones making news. But B.R.E.A.D. has been around for 10 years--a growing organization made up of diverse congregations, united by our shared belief that we are called to work together for justice.
I did this in spite of the fact that--well, big crowds just aren't my thing. I'm an introvert by nature, and I pretty quickly end up with a feeling of sensory overload in this kind of situation. Back in December, in fact, I put together this visual to express my feelings about the Christmas season and the holiday shopping experience.
And, let me tell you, the place was *packed*. Registration was to take place between 6:15 and 6:45, and even though I arrived at Congregation Tifereth Israel toward the beginning of that time frame, the large parking lot was already full at that point.
Based on how full the place was--standing room only--it was announced that we easily surpassed the 2000 mark, which is what the organizers had been hoping for. As I walked into the main room, some people from my parish called my name, and I carefully made my way into the row where they were seated. I noticed that an older gentleman from my church, who used to come to the peace rallies on High Street (and always had resources to share like copies of the Hightower Lowdown or materials from Oxfam) had managed to attend. He isn't in church too often these days because of health issues and the fact that it's just too uncomfortable for him to sit in the hard pew for over an hour most Sundays.
So if he could make it out last night, as well as any number of other people with similar hardships, I guess it wasn't a particularly big sacrifice for me to do the same.
I'm glad I was there to be a part of that--and to be a witness to it. Over 2000 people from different faith tranditions gathered under one roof--not to pass an amendment making same sex marriage even more illegal than it already is, but out of our shared belief that we must do something about the tragically low high school graduation rates in Columbus.
As crowded as that place was, it's amazing that I was able to spot so many familiar faces. My supervisor from my temp project was there with his wife. And I saw Bob Shemansky and said hi. (He commented on what a unique experience that Meet the Bloggers interview was, once I reminded him that that's where I'd met him.)
I want to write more about this meeting once I have a little more time, and once one of my contacts has sent me a picture I can include. For now, I'll just leave you all with the song we sang at the beginning of the meeting, to the tune of the Gospel song, Victory is Mine:
Justice is mine, Justice is mine. Justice, today, is mine.
I told sickness get thee behind. Access to healthcare is mine.
...I told truancy get the behind. Access to learning is mine.
...I told unemployment get thee behind. Access to jobs is mine.
...I told homelessness get thee behind. Access to housing is mine.
...I told injustice get thee behind, justice today is mine.
I've uploaded the audio of that part here.
And I also want to leave you tonight with this thought. Blackwell and his "Patriot Pastors" may be the ones making news. But B.R.E.A.D. has been around for 10 years--a growing organization made up of diverse congregations, united by our shared belief that we are called to work together for justice.
G-d says, "Get off your tuckus and do justice!"
Submitted by Renee in Ohio on Wed, 05/10/2006 - 11:55pm.
I've posted more about the B.R.E.A.D. assembly here.
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