A WORSHIP GATHERING OF HOPE: LOVING GOD & ONE ANOTHER

CALL TO WORSHIP We have come burdened by the weight of injustice and racial disparity God lift us up, be our strength and our guide We have come as the “walking wounded” in need of healing from hurts we have felt and given God, heal us, be our strength and our guide

We have come searching, confused, and not knowing all the answers God, give us clarity and calm our spirits as we search for your answers We have come for understanding of our differences, our sameness and our uniqueness God, open our minds and hearts to new truths

We have come to honor the people who have labored before us, trying to move us a beloved community God, help us to remember and be our strength and our guide We have come to strengthen each other, having felt all alone in our desire for reconciliation God, bind us together, be our strength and our guide

We have come longing for the beauty of rainbow worship, where we are all viewed as your children God, grant us the desires of our heart, be our strength and our guide We have come hungry for the “bread of peace” Bread of Heaven, feed us until we want no more

We have come so that we won’t forget that racism yet exists, even in our churches God, help us to remember and learn from our mistakes, be our strength and our guide We have come to learn from each other, so that our work won’t be in vain God teach us thy ways, as we share our gifts

We have come to prepare ourselves to work God, renew our hope and persuade us to work while it is day

ALL: God, we pray for all who have assembled here and for people throughout the world who desire racial reconciliation. Help us to know that your judgment will always start with the house of God, therefore the church must take the lead.

Give us the strength to move forward and become true ambassadors, instruments of unity and peace. Transform us and mold us as we endeavor to “heal the land.” Creator God, Sustainer God, God of Justice and Light, be our strength and our guide. Amen. Source: Rev. Renee Williams-Thomas December 2008

INVOCATION & CENTERING PRAYER

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; With cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; Bind us together with love. BIND US TOGETHER

There is only one God. There is only one King. There is only one Body. That is why we sing.

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; With cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; Bind us together with love.

Made for the glory of God Purchased by His precious Son Born with the right to be clean For Jesus the victory has won

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; With cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; Bind us together with love.

You are the family of God. You are the promise divine. You are God's chosen desire. You are the glorious new wine.

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; With cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together; Bind us together with love.

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law,tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Matthew 22: 34 – 40 (NIV)

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Response To the word Adapted from Common Prayer, a liturgy for ordinary radicals © 2010 by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove & Enuma Okoro

In the name of the divine Trinity, let us pray: God you have called us into being through love. You have joined us one with another in love. How good and pleasant it is When your people dwell together in unity.

Shine your light upon your people That we can see the glory of eternal life. Grant each one here committed to the work of racial justice the strength to carry your blessing from this place to the next. May we be at home in any place, with any people For all of creation is yours.

May the lamp of your word Guide our feet on the unsure path ahead. Our lives are but a breath, But our breaths are drawn from your divine Spirit.

You have created us as walking paradoxes. Specks of dust and divine-image bearers – all of us. We are constantly restless Until we rest in you.

Grant us all a deeper fullness of being and spirit As we enter into a time of holy conversation one with another. Grant us stamina and skill and deep love For the God we see in one another amidst this holy conversation.

Transform us – our words, our actions, our intentions – So that we bear your grace and mercy with one another. Go in the peace of Christ to love and serve, to talk and to share, to risk and to extend grace. Amen.

RE-CAP

1.Safe Spaces for Barrier Breaking and Bridge Building 2.The UMC as a Transformation Agent with the Marginalized 3.Stronger Community Relationships to Dismantle the Pre-School to Prison Pipeline. CORE OBJECTIVES

Resources… Beginning to Fill the Toolbox

COVENANT 1.Respect each other through words, body language, and tone. 2.Use “I” language and stay focused on the objective and actions. 3.Maintain one conversation; speak briefly so everyone has a chance for a turn and listen when others speak. 4.Manage your own emotions. 5.Speak in a voice mindful of many groups gathered around you.

CONVERSATION TOWARD ACTION CIRCLES

9:05 MOVE BACK IN LARGE GROUP & GIVE FOLLOW-UP FEEDBACK FORM TO FACILITATOR

Come to the table, you who are divided, torn and angry. Here find hope. Come to the table, you who are marginalized and confused. Here we find love. INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Come to the table, you who are weary and tired. Here we find rest for our souls and food for our journey. Come to the table, you who desire peace, justice and reconciliation. Here we are enlightened, discover guidance and grow in the unity of the faith for all.

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.