Join us for a presentation and discussion about “Race and Faith in America” in Arlington, VA on June 8.

In his book  Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own,  Eddie Glaude writes in 2021, “The American idea is indeed in trouble. It should be. We have told ourselves a story that secures our virtue and protects us from our vices. But today we confront the ugliness of who we are—our darker angels reign.”  Glaude turns to Baldwin’s late-in-life wisdom about how to keep working for things that matter when previous efforts have been met with great resistance, and prior gains have been rolled back, when the temptation is to quit trying.

“Baldwin provided the key to surviving and mustering the strength to keep fighting amid the after times:  ‘When the dream was slaughtered and all that love and labor seemed to have come to nothing, we scattered.  We knew where we had been, what we had tried to do… Not everything is lost. Responsibility cannot be lost, it can only be abdicated. If one refuses abdication, one begins again.’”   As followers of Jesus, when we encounter disappointments, we choose hope.  We refuse abdication, and keep choosing responsibility.  We begin again.  As much as ever, we are committed as followers of Jesus to his available agents of justice and healing for America’s racial realities.

So I’m excited that John and Kathy Bruce and Scott Buresh will be coming to the Coracle ministry center in Arlington to offer a presentation on “Race and Faith in America” and I’ll facilitate a conversation with all who join us on Sunday, June 8 from 4.30pm-7.30pm. Sign up here.  John and Kathy have long been members of the leadership community for Coracle Baltimore, and you’ll recognize Kathy from the many times she’s led Space for God and as the host of Kathy’s Kitchen Table.  Our time will include our conversation (wrapping up around 6:15pm), a break for light refreshments, and we’ll finish with a simple Eucharist service, on Pentecost Sunday!  The Repentance Project and the Racial Reconciliation Group are delighted to offer this time together in partnership. Join us!