Keep to the path: in response to vandalism
BY THE REV. ANDY BURNETTE, VALLEY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION
About a week ago, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation (VUU) joined Unitarian Universalist congregations around the country in displaying a “Black Lives Matter” banner on our campus.
Our banner symbolizes our support for the Black Lives Matter movement. It is a small part of our congregation’s burgeoning work on race and ethnicity.
We are ramping up our efforts in light of the deaths of so many African Americans at the hands of police, the disproportionate rate of imprisonment of young AfricanAmerican men, and, more generally, the racism that persists in the American system. Dozens of our members signed the banner, including many of our children, as a symbol of their individual support.
Two days later, the word “Black” was papered over with “All,” and several signs reading “All Lives Matter,” made with paper and permanent marker, were taped up around our campus. When the signs were removed, the word “All” was spray-painted over the word “Black” on our banner. You can see the vandalism in the photo.
Then, the banner was stolen, and we filed a police report.
This crime reminds us that work for justice is often unpopular. It leads me to the following few thoughts:
Vandalism of a banner pales in comparison to the theft and destruction of black bodies in the United States. The Washington Post reported that an unarmed black man is killed by police every nine days. Some argue the Post under-reported the numbers. Forty percent of people incarcerated in the United States are black Americans, and about 50 percent of the women incarcerated are black, while only 13 percent of the U.S. population is black, according to the latest Census data. According to Unlock America and the NAACP, if Hispanics and blacks were jailed at the same rate as whites, the U.S. prison population would decrease by 50 percent. We will not confuse our very minor incidents with the real issues.
All lives matter? Yes...and no. Some say “Black Lives Matter” singles out blacks in a way that devalues other lives. Not so. Truly we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every single person. VUU
has done work around immigration, homelessness and LGBT rights, to name but a few issues. But black lives have been singled out for abuse in our country. They were separated from their families and marched across the south to be sold as farm implements, denied the right to vote, killed and beaten bloody during the civil rights era, and are still oppressed today, as the above statistics show. Maybe we will know that all lives matter when we can proclaim that black lives matter without controversy.
We must keep the goal in mind. As stated in the Black Lives Matter guiding principles: “We are committed to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for freedom and justice for black people and, by extension, all people. As we forge our path, we intentionally build and nurture a beloved community that is bonded together through a beautiful struggle that is restorative, not depleting.” The goal is love and justice, but the work is anything but easy. It wasn’t easy in the days of the Underground Railroad, it wasn’t easy in the civil rights era, and it isn’t easy now. But we are called by Unitarian Universalist values to continue, and over time to deepen, our witness for justice.
black people. However, we know that has been far from the case. There’s been persistent and concerted effort to erode the gains of the black liberation struggles throughout the years, hindering black progress.” Replacing these structures (like the justice and prison structures) with systems which truly value black lives is the work before us. We look to people of color for leadership. It will not be easy. It will not be quick. But let us have courage and keep to the path.”
Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi wrote earlier this year in Huffington Post, “Many thought that the abolition of slavery, the end of Jim Crow and the legislative progress of the civil rights era, among other watershed moments, would have fundamentally done away with the racist structures that have long oppressed
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation provides a welcoming diverse community that nurtures each person’s lifelong spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living. Within this liberal religion, VUU members seek to create lives of integrity, service and joy. VUU is located at 6400 W. Del Rio St. in Chandler. For information, call (480) 899-4249; check out the Facebook page at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Chandler AZ; or visit www.vuu.org.
Good News is bringing new hope to congregation
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
After a U.S. Supreme Court victory and the retirement of the Rev. Clyde Reed, Good News Presbyterian Church is being reborn.
The Rev. Dr. Charles H. Roberts now heads the congregation and he’s hoping to put the directional sign issue behind his organization and focus on Good News.
“It consumed so much of the church’s time,” Roberts said. “We’re looking at where we want to refocus and what we offer in terms of ministry and outreach.
“A lot of people have many choices to choose from. Unfortunately that’s part of the competitive world we live in. We’re still in an exploratory mode, however, of what sorts of things we’ll be doing.”
The location—Gilbert Elementary
School—will remain the same. But it has more outreach projects planned.
“The church is more than just a meeting place,” he said.
Good News Presbyterian Church is taking part in the Shoebox Ministry, which is affiliated with Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritan’s Purse will provide participants with decorative shoeboxes and fill them with different items.
“It’s a means of helping those who won’t be getting anything for Christmas,” he said.
Roberts has been with Good News Presbyterian Church since the beginning of October, having moved here from the East Coast.
“I first came here in 2003 on vacation and fell in love with it,” Robert said. “I’ve
VUU’s Black Lives Matter sign was recently vandalized. Submitted photo
been trying to find a way to get here ever since.”
There was mission work available in Chandler and Gilbert, but practically speaking, there really wasn’t a firm opportunity until Reed retired.
He worked in the food and beverage industry until he heard the “good news” about Reed’s retirement.
“But all of life is religion,” he said. “Culture is the externalization of a religious belief. God’s people—wherever they are—are going to be confronted with other social ideas”
Worship guide
There is a place of worship for a variety of religions in Gilbert. Here is a partial list of some of the congregations in the town. Want to be added to this list? Email christina@gilbertsunnews.com.
The Bridge Church
860 E. Warner Rd., Suites 101 & 103 Gilbert 85296 480-294-7888
www.bridgechurchaz.org
Services: 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays
We exist to show the world who Jesus is, and we believe that when people get to know Jesus as He really is, their lives will change forever. Therefore, it is our passion to help people know Jesus throughout Gilbert, Metro Phoenix and the world.
Central Christian Church—Gilbert 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert 85297
www.centralaz.com Services: 5:30 p.m.
Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sundays
While the Bible itself is the church’s official document of faith, the website lists a variety of statements that fundamentally define the church. Please visit the website for more information.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3301 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert 85297 (480) 822-5000
www.lds.org/church/temples/gilbertarizona?lang=eng
For more information about the church, visit the website above.
First United Methodist Church of Gilbert
331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert 85233 (480) 892-9166 www.gilbertumc.org
Services: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (traditional services) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service) Sundays
There are two traditional services—8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.—with the Chancel choir and traditional worship. The 11 a.m. service has a contemporary feel, with music from the Praise Band. The 9:30 a.m. service generally has the largest attendance.
Gilbert Presbyterian Church
235 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-6753
www.azgpc.org
Services: 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays
Gilbert Presbyterian Church is called to be a Christ-centered covenant family nurtured by the Holy Spirit to worship God and to share God’s love with everyone.
Living Water United
Methodist Fellowship
Highland Park Elementary School
230 N Cole. Dr., Gilbert 85234
www.livingwaterum.org
Services: 10 a.m. Sundays
Living Water exists to bring people in to meet Christ, build people up to follow Christ and send people out to share Christ.
Mission Community Church
4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 545-4024
www.mission68.org
Services: 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m.
Sundays
The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth and without error in the original manuscripts.
Redemption Gilbert 1820 W. Elliot Rd, Gilbert 85233 (480) 632-2220
www.gilbert.redemptionaz.com/ about/a-brief-overview/
Services: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Sundays
Gospel means good news, but it is truly the most profound and glorious truth ever revealed. It is not advice, nor is it a system or philosophy to add to the congregants’ lives. It is an exclusive truth claim, a holistic worldview, the true story of the whole world, which by its very nature must redefine and recolor everything else.
Resurrection Episcopal Church Meets at Gilbert Community Center,
What difference does Jesus make in my life?
Christmas Eve Service Thursday December 24 5 – 6 pm
Sunday Worship: Traditional - 7:30 & 9:00 am Contemporary - 9:00 & 10:45 am
Special Advent Services: Dec. 2, 9, & 16 - 6:30 pm
Christmas Eve Worship: Dec. 24 at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 11:00 pm
Christmas Day Worship: Dec. 25 at 9:00 am
New Years Eve Worship: 6:30 pm
130 N. Oak St., Gilbert 85233 (480) 719-5343
www.resurrectiongilbert.org
Services: 10 a.m. Sundays
Resurrection officials say the congregation is a church you can believe in because you belong. This means it welcomes and embraces all people because God already has. Come for worship, fellowship and Bible study on Sundays and join the group on a spiritual journey to better understand God’s plan for our lives.
San Tan Bible Church 1424 S. Promenade Lane, Gilbert 85296
Phone number not available. www.santanbible.org
Services: 8:30 a.m. (Bible hour); 9:30 a.m. (Café 2:42) and 10 a.m. worship service Sundays
The church believes the glory of God is the chief end of all we do.
Sun Valley Community Church
456 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert 85296 (480) 632-8920, www.sunvalleycc.com
Services: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays;
and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays
The atmosphere is casual and friendly at Sun Valley Community Church. It places high value on authentic Christian living and placing Christ at the center of all our teachings. The church also offers worship music that is current and uplifting, along with focused weekend sermons that break down the Bible in a way that makes it easy to connect the word of God with today’s busy life.
Two Rivers Church
326 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-2435, www.2riverschurch.org
Services: 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) Sundays
Two Rivers Church exists to help lead congregants into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging and equipping them to love God intimately and serve others. It has a casual environment with a serious faith.
The Rev. Dr. Charles H. Roberts is the pastor at Good News Presbyterian Church. GSN photo by Tim Sealy