Rev. Marc Vance of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Newport News, Virginia talks about how empathy and understanding are central in scripture and the baptismal covenant of the Episcopal Church. Betsy Wolak, lay minister and parishioner at St. Andrew’s, wraps up with a meditation on fear.

Pray with Marc:

Almighty God, who created us in Your image, grant that Your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression. Take away the arrogance and the hatred which infect our hearts. Break down the walls that separate us and unite us in bonds of love, that barriers which may divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease. And our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Timestamps:

0:00-0:30: Introduction

0:30-5:16: Marc Vance - I See You

5:16-6:09: Prayer for Unity

6:12-11:48: Betsy Wolak - Meditation on Fear

11:48-12:19: Conclusion

“To truly see into someone’s true essence, the goodness inside of their soul and to understand how connected we are” - Lorraine Lundqvist (https://bloggingmidlife.com/?p=45)

Learn more about racism and ways to fight it:

https://www.naacpldf.org/

https://episcopalchurch.org/responding-to-racist-violence

Wherever you are in your faith journey, we are here to support you in any way:

http://www.standrews-episcopal.org/

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsnewportnews/

Rev. Anne Kirchmier talks to her friend, Dr. Karen Merritt, about racism. Karen draws on her childhood in the South, career in the medical field, and lifetime of faith to present her perspective as a mother and woman of color in the United States.

Timestamps:

0:00-0:58: It Is Well With My Soul Verse 1

0:58-2:56: Introduction

2:56-22:20: Karen and Anne’s Conversation

2:56-4:38: How are you?

4:38-6:24: What is the current situation like for you and your family?

6:24-12:48: In your life, when and how have you faced racism?

12:58-16:52: What can White Christians do to be allies?

17:00-19:18: What gives you hope?

19:50-22:20: Joint Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer

22:21-25:17: Conclusion

23:03-25:06: It Is Well With My Soul Verses 2 & 3

Learn more about racism and ways to fight it:

https://www.naacpldf.org/

https://episcopalchurch.org/responding-to-racist-violence

Get information on how to register to vote where you live: https://vote.gov/

Wherever you are in your faith journey, we are here to support you in any way:

http://www.standrews-episcopal.org/

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsnewportnews/

Rev. Anne Kirchmier talks to her friend, Rev. Charles Cheek, about racism. With a lifetime of experience in activism, and as a community organizer and African-American pastor, Charles gives his perspective on the world now and the ways we can move forward.

Timestamps:

0:00-4:47: Introduction

4:47-27:14: Charles and Anne’s Conversation

4:47-5:34: How are you?

6:10-11:14: What is the current situation like for you, your family, and your congregation?

11:20-16:14: How have you personally been faced with racism or racist actions?

16:21-21:28: What can White Christians do to be allies?

21:38-23:31: What gives you hope right now?

23:44-27:14: Joint Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer

27:17-28:42: Conclusion

Support Charles’ podcast, Let’s Talk Justice: Front Porch Conversations

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/frontporchjustice

Jobs for Life: https://jobsforlife.org/

Pastor’s Dialogue on Racism, Poverty, and Violence Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Pastors-Dialogue-on-Racism-Poverty-and-Violence-305787953388153/

Learn more about racism and ways to fight it:

https://www.naacpldf.org/

https://episcopalchurch.org/responding-to-racist-violence

Get information on how to register to vote where you live: https://vote.gov/

Wherever you are in your faith journey, we are here to support you in any way:

http://www.standrews-episcopal.org/

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsnewportnews/

Rev. Anne Kirchmier talks to her friend, Ronald Graves about racism. Ron shares his experiences as a father and person of color in a mostly white field. He also gives his thoughts about what can be done to oppose racism.

Time Stamps:

0:00-0:32: Introduction

0:33-21:52: Ron and Anne’s Conversation

3:13-4:25: How are you doing?

4:29-6:45: What is the current situation like for you and your family?

6:54-11:22: How have you personally been faced with racism or racist actions?

11:47-15:38: What can White Christians do to be allies?

16:11-18:25: What, if anything, gives you hope right now?

18:52-21:53: Joint Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer

21:57-23:07: Conclusion

Learn more about racism and ways to fight it:

https://www.naacpldf.org/

https://episcopalchurch.org/responding-to-racist-violence

Get information on how to register to vote where you live: https://vote.gov/

Wherever you are in your faith journey, we are here to support you in any way:

http://www.standrews-episcopal.org/

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsnewportnews/

David Lilley, an educator and centering prayer leader, explains what centering prayer is, how it came about, and how to do it.

Time Stamps:

0:00-0:46: Introduction

0:46-2:05: What is Centering Prayer?

2:05-2:39: History of Centering Prayer

2:39-8:34: Instructions for Centering Prayer

8:34-32:36: Centering Prayer Session

32:36-33:06: Conclusion

Centering Prayer Resource: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/

Wherever you are in your faith journey, we are here to support you in any way:

http://www.standrews-episcopal.org/

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsnewportnews/

Rev. Anne Kirchmier talks to her friend, Bishop Designate Gail Roberts-House about racism. Gail shares her personal experiences as a mother and woman of color as well as her thoughts about the best ways to respond to racism.

Timestamps:

0:00-0:28: Introduction

0:28-24:55: Gail and Anne’s Conversation

24:55-26:14: Conclusion

Learn more about racism and ways to fight it: https://www.naacpldf.org/

Wherever you are in your faith journey, we are here to support you in any way:

http://www.standrews-episcopal.org/

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsnewportnews/