A Procession in Support of Black Lives
From Old St. Patrick’s Church to First Baptist Congregational Church
Saturday, August 1 | 9 am Beginning at 711 W. Monroe St.
During this sacred time when the world as we know it is changing, we want to publicly express our support for Black lives. The racist structures in housing, employment, policing, and education need to change, and oftentimes men are the biggest resistors to change. White men especially have been blind to the structures that benefit them at the expense of others and the violence perpetrated by white men against their black brothers reflects a brutal American legacy.
In light of all that has taken place in our country since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, we are moved to respond. Today we are walking with one another, asking our God to open our eyes to our common brotherhood and forge new relationships that will lead to understanding and positive change.
All men of First Baptist and Old St. Patrick’s are invited to gather, and others who feel called are welcome to join us, beginning at 711 W. Monroe St., 9 am on Saturday, August 1. Fr. Tom Hurley will offer welcome and prayer. The final words of George Floyd will be read, and we will stand together in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
We will remain in silence as we process, two by two, to First Baptist Church, a location that once was the site of the Underground Railroad that led African Americans out of slavery. As we process together, we will open ourselves to the Spirit of God speaking to us in and through the sacred silence. We process together in silent prayer, bearing witness to the prophetic words of George Floyd, “I can’t breathe.” Systemic racism is killing our people.
When we reach First Baptist, we will hear from some voices in our community who will further help us to see the impact of systemic racism on Black lives. Pastor George Daniels will offer some comments and prayer.
In an informal closing, brothers from each church will exchange contact information and commit to sharing a meal together within the next six weeks. Our time spent breaking bread together will become the foundation for what comes next. In September, we will gather again to share the stories of our meals and invite God to lead us further down the road on our walk together.
In light of all that has taken place in our country since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, we are moved to respond. Today we are walking with one another, asking our God to open our eyes to our common brotherhood and forge new relationships that will lead to understanding and positive change.
All men of First Baptist and Old St. Patrick’s are invited to gather, and others who feel called are welcome to join us, beginning at 711 W. Monroe St., 9 am on Saturday, August 1. Fr. Tom Hurley will offer welcome and prayer. The final words of George Floyd will be read, and we will stand together in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
We will remain in silence as we process, two by two, to First Baptist Church, a location that once was the site of the Underground Railroad that led African Americans out of slavery. As we process together, we will open ourselves to the Spirit of God speaking to us in and through the sacred silence. We process together in silent prayer, bearing witness to the prophetic words of George Floyd, “I can’t breathe.” Systemic racism is killing our people.
When we reach First Baptist, we will hear from some voices in our community who will further help us to see the impact of systemic racism on Black lives. Pastor George Daniels will offer some comments and prayer.
In an informal closing, brothers from each church will exchange contact information and commit to sharing a meal together within the next six weeks. Our time spent breaking bread together will become the foundation for what comes next. In September, we will gather again to share the stories of our meals and invite God to lead us further down the road on our walk together.