This Week at St. Paul's
Mother Michelle Walker
Dear St. Paul's Family,
What joy I have in sharing with you this morning that my Wabash Pastoral Leadership Cohort was able to meet in-person this week from Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. I have been learning alongside these 13 other pastors from around the state since November of 2020 and it was wonderful to be in person with them for these two short days.
Our session topic was "Demography and Race in Indiana". It was an inspiring topic that yielded probing questions and conversations. We were shown maps of our community, with the church at the epicenter, and encouraged to really take a look at what is around us. We were introduced to a demographic tool (thearda.com) that provides information regarding age, education, family status, income, religion, etc. We were challenged to look at the maps of our cohort and offer things we noticed in their contexts. Guess what everyone noticed on OUR map? LOTS of churches and LOTS of lakes. I'm still waiting for divine inspiration in how to use those assets more fully in our ministries! (I'm open for suggestions ... ).
On the topic of racism, we had deep conversations about our responsibility as spiritual leaders in both addressing the topic in our congregations and meeting the congregation where they are to open up the topic more fully. We discussed that most of our congregants would likely not consider themselves racist and because of that might be less likely to desire engaging in the conversation. I, too, used to feel that way about myself - until I started learning more.
Almost a year ago I listened to an interview with Ibram X. Kendi, author of "How to be an AntiRacist". I am currently listening, to his book. Mr. Kendi suggests that a person is EITHER racist or antiracist NOT as a permanent label of who they are, but as a temporary label that is reflective of a current action. Our words and actions in any given moment, whether we are aware of them or not, are either racist or antiracist. There is no neutral. Now I've sat with this thought for some time and I can find it to be true, although I'm definitely not always thinking about whether I'm acting in a racist or antiracist way. My awareness has increased, however. And with awareness comes the opportunity to make better decisions.
I stop here to offer a short teaching moment that was enlightening to me. Being racist doesn't only mean that a person is actively discriminating against people of color. Racism happens in the following categories:
Interpersonal - Bigotry and biases shown between individuals through word and action
Systemic/Structural - Ongoing racial inequalities maintained by society
Institutional - Discriminatory polices and practices within organizations and institutions
Internalized - Race-based beliefs and feelings within individuals.
A few weeks ago the police pulled me over as I pulled into Phyllis Nichols' driveway. (I sure created some excitement for her that day.) I was getting out of the car BEFORE I noticed the undercover vehicle directly behind me with its lights on. I then realized that I had taken off my seatbelt and had the door open before they could even approach me. I was terrified for an instant, especially since I had NO idea why I was being pulled over.
In THAT exact moment I had this thought "Why am I afraid? I'm a white woman driving a decent vehicle and wearing a clerical collar. I don't need to fear for my life." The very next thought was this "My white privilege increases my safety. The ingrained systems of institutional and systemic racism makes this same situation far more dangerous for a person of color." A year ago I wouldn't have thought about this at all. Awareness is a powerful tool.
As a short aside, I did not receive a ticket (for apparently not coming to a full stop at a nearby stop sign!). On a far more important aside, this example in no way reflects my opinion of our police, who work hard to keep our communities safe. It is simply a moment when my white privilege was evident to me because of increasing my awareness and ability to recognize it. And that is what I pray for each of us to discover in our own respective journeys.
There is much for us to learn, both as individuals and as a congregation. Please know the manner in which I raise this topic for conversation is both intentional and an invitation. There are many ways we can be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. It is our responsibility to encourage each other in our varying ways of doing so.
Enjoy this beautiful day and don't forget to wear red on Sunday!
Blessings,
Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 (c)
Join us for Chair and Church with St. Paul's, a simple gathering of St. Paul's parishioners for city events throughout the summer. This is an opportunity to spend time with the people we love, in places we love around the city. LaPorte has a variety of events to offer this summer. And the only requirement is that you bring a chair and a fun loving attitude. (Rides are available for those that prefer not to drive at that time of day.)
The first event is Cruise Night on Saturday 6/5. Bring your chair, and your St. Paul's tee shirt if you have one, and join us in front of the PNC bank at the corner of Michigan and Lincolnway. Beginning June 9th, we will gather at the Fox Park pavilion on Wednesdays to enjoy city band concerts via Arts in the Park. More details are available at our Facebook events. All are welcome ... even those who do not yet call St. Paul's their home!