“…you are called to freedom, brothers and sisters...” Galatians 5:13 (CEB)
Dear Friends:
What is your definition of freedom? Some 243 years ago a five-member team charged to draft grievances against the British government’s hold on the people of what we now call The United States, eventually composed The Declaration of Independence. With Thomas Jefferson as its primary author, the following statement still rings forth the words of our country’s freedom (with some gender interpretation) to this very day: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This is the freedom we celebrate each and every Independence Day, July 4th.
Tomorrow, once again our country will celebrate. Fireworks and picnics and parades will burst forth across the land. It is a day we particularly remember our “inalienable rights;” our freedom. Yesterday The Episcopal Church reminded us once again of our “inalienable rights” in publishing a response to the immigration crisis at our border. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry tells us well: “We are children of the one God who is the Creator of us all…It is our sisters, our brothers, our siblings who are seeking protection and asylum, fleeing violence and danger to children, searching for a better life for themselves and their children. The crisis at the border is not simply a challenge of partisan politics but a test of our personal and public morality and human decency.” We strive to assure “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” not just for some, but for all.
On Sunday in worship we’ll talk a bit about what it means to trust in the freedom granted us by our Lord God who calls us to go out, use the gifts God has given us, to do God’s work in the world. We’ll talk about what it means to live as followers of Christ. What it means as children of God to work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity. To serve as active participants in a new creation thriving on God’s sacrificial love known to us in Jesus Christ. This is the good work of kindness, gentleness, peace and mercy. This good work is our daily responsibility in how we treat one another. Sadly, however, not all experience the blessings of freedom granted to us in our Declaration of Independence and promised to us through God in Christ. Those seeking asylum from persecution and violence are experiencing challenges to securing safety and freedom as they attempt to reach our southern border. Presiding Bishop Curry, and The Episcopal Church has published a list of resources to help us learn more of the importance of our freedom and how we can strive to help one another, as children of God, in maintaining our human rights:
The Director of The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, Rebecca Linder Blachly, reminds us of the legal system for asylum seekers: “The U.S. has an established system to process asylum seekers who are coming to the U.S. legally…We have the capability to respond in a human and compassionate manner…”
This afternoon, all who are interested in celebrating our freedom are welcome to gather by 4:45 p.m. at the Arlington Cemetery metro stop with our Jewish neighbors from Temple Micah. From there we will walk to a designate location. Recalling that the Jews were once immigrants too, we are invited to participate in their annual worship from 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Confirm the event by checking Temple Micah’s website for any cancellation due to weather: https://templemicah.org/. Hope to see you there!
Tomorrow, as we once again give thanks to God for our freedom, we may remember that this day is not a day about the politics of the White House as it is a day for each and every American to embrace our God given rights. Rights fought for and defended these hundreds of years by courageous leaders. May every man, woman and child who finds a home in our country turn and give thanks to our God who, in Jesus Christ, makes us free.
Happy Independence Day dear friends. See you this afternoon, or on Saturday for Parish Work Day, and certainly on Sunday!
Blessings,
Hillary