On Sunday afternoon, a number of Vineville folks joined with 900 others from across Macon and Middle Georgia for A Service of Unity and Love. The service was organized by Temple Beth Israel and hosted at Mulberry United Methodist to allow more people to attend. A great cross-section of our community showed up to stand up to hate and ignorance. Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and others came together to voice opposition to the message of hate and violence that neo-Nazi protesters brought to Macon on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1.
It was encouraging to see so many people gather in an expression of unity and love. The service was streamed and can be found on Facebook and on the Mulberry Web Page. Despite the hate that made it necessary, it was a hopeful service.
Let’s join our prayers together for peace with this prayer that was shared at the Service of Unity and Love last Sunday:
When Evil Darkens Our World
When evil darkens our world, let us be the bearers of light.
When fists are clenched in self-righteous rage,
let our hands be open for the sake of peace.
When injustice slams doors on the ill, the poor, the old, and the stranger,
let us pry the doors open.
Where shelter is lacking, let us be builders.
Where food and clothing are needed, let us be providers.
Where knowledge is denied, let us be champions of learning.
When dissent is stifled, let our voices speak truth to power.
When the earth and its creatures are threatened, let us be their guardians.
When bias, greed, and bigotry erode our country's values,
let us proclaim liberty throughout the land.
In the places where no one acts like a human being,
let us bring courage; let us bring compassion; let us bring humanity.
By Chaim Stern, from Mishkan HaNefesh: Machzor for the Days of Awe
