By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Sr. Minister
In worship the past 2 weeks, I’ve been asking for prayers for a dear friend of mine, Rev. Susan Hayward. Susie and I met at Harvard Divinity School, and not only did she invite me to parties and trips, she also invited me to church – First Church Somerville became the church I regularly attended then served as student minister thanks to that invitation. We have stayed in touch for the past 17 years. Initially, she worked in Washington DC at the US Institute of Peace doing religious peacemaking in places like Sri Lanka as an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. A couple of years ago she returned to Minneapolis to serve Creekside UCC (formerly Mayflower – they changed their name because of the colonial implications). She’s been active in interfaith work, racial justice, and human rights ever since I’ve known her. One way she’s served is on the board of Multifaith Antiracism, Change and Healing (MARCH), an inclusive, interfaith and clergy-led group with about 30 years of history.
MARCH recently put out a call to clergy to join them in witness and action in Minneapolis for today and tomorrow. The response was overwhelming and nationwide, so much so that they had to pause new registrations from a capacity and safety perspective. I know colleagues going from coast to coast, flying or carpooling, knowing full well the forecast is below zero. Those of us who can’t go are often donating to those who can. My clergy network is that committed to standing up for their immigrant neighbors and resisting the abuses of ICE, which go far beyond the murder of Renee Good.
I personally find this inspiring and righteous. If you agree with me, I want you to take comfort knowing that so many faithful leaders are answering the call to justice, and willing to resist this country’s descent. If you disagree with me, that’s OK, but please think deeply about why so many pastors, local leaders, peacemakers, and human rights experts are horrified about what is happening and how you might open your mind to our message. If you want to reach out to me, I promise to listen to you with sincerity.
But I hope everyone reading this will join me in prayers for my colleagues in Minneapolis today and tomorrow. They are there according to their conscience and deep conviction, and I regret that I am not with them. Pray for their safety, for their courage and faith, and above all, to give this nation the ears to hear the peacemakers crying out to all who will listen.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Joe Zarro
*Image Credit (and more information about MARCH) available at: https://www.marchminnesota.org/