Reflections on the Terrorist Attack on Our Nation's Capitol

Dear UCH Beloved Community,

I was planning to emerge from my break to write you an encouraging "Thank God 2020 is over" New Year's letter, but my heart and mind are still reeling from the horrific events we witnessed in our nation’s capitol Wednesday. I feel angry, deeply grieved, and exhausted. And while Wednesday's events certainly reached a new low by those who continue to proudly stoke the fires of deceit, racism, and violence, I (like many of you) experienced them as yet one more attack—in a constant stream of attacks—on justice, integrity, and democracy. Anger especially filled me as I watched the shameful discrepancy between the ways peaceful Black Lives Matter protestors have been met in our nation’s capitol and the ways this week's white terrorist mob was handled.

We have to be better than this. We have to live into the faith we claim. We have to address the bias, racism, and white privilege we harbor within ourselves consciously or not, no matter how difficult that may be. Our spiritual livelihood, and the lives of our Black and Brown brothers and sisters depend on it. And we will continue that hard work together.

I can remember standing in the Capitol rotunda as a pre-teen staring at everything with my mouth agape because it felt like I was on holy ground. I sat in that balcony-where our elected representatives huddled in gas masks- in the House of Representatives, as my Dad explained what they were doing down on the floor. I shook our Senator, Birch Bayh's hand in the hallway- that on Wednesday was strewn with glass and garbage and where invaders proudly sported Neo-Nazi white supremacist symbols and the treasonous, slavery defending, Confederate battle flag waved. I didn’t understand the tensions and complexities of our Nation's history yet. But I will never forget that memorable day.

In short, Wednesday's attack felt personal. It felt like an attack on all of us. And I believe it also offers us a profound challenge: Who do we want to be? What kind of world do we want to live in? And how do we imagine getting there? We/the church has an important role to play in holding the moral center in public debates—and in holding power accountable to the timeless Jesus values of truth, compassion, and justice. We must never relinquish this vital role and responsibility.

And, if you are like me today, reeling and exhausted, we must also make room for gentleness and rest—time to recover our strength for the road ahead. Remember, you are not alone. We are all in this together—fortified by our Stillspeaking God who is as close to us as breath—and by a community of beloved and beautiful souls who love each other, believe fervently in God’s justice for all people, and are seeking and embracing our journey together.

I am deeply grateful to serve as your Minister & Teacher and will see you soon on Zoom after a few more days of rest.

Sending Love, Light, and Blessings.
Rev. Jeanne