The Rev. Geoffrey Black: Ten Years Later, Shoulder to Shoulder

September 11, 2011, has come and gone, and I'm feeling that now, the heavy lifting begins again. The period of reflection and commemoration was as rich as it was long. There were ample opportunities to stop and reflect on the meaning of that tragic day 10 years ago. 

For me the commemorative events got started early on Sept. 8 in Washington, D.C., at a press conference sponsored by an ecumenical/interfaith coalition called Shoulder to Shoulder.

This is how Shoulder to Shoulder describes itself: 

"Shoulder to Shoulder is an interfaith coalition dedicated to ending anti-Muslim sentiment by strengthening the voice of freedom and peace.  Founded in November 2010 by more than 26 national faith groups, denominations and interfaith organizations, Shoulder to Shoulder works not only on a national level, but offers strategies and support to local and regional efforts to address anti-Muslim sentiment and to spread the word abroad."

The press conference was designed to be an opportunity for this coalition to get its message out well ahead of the many events planned throughout the nation later in the week and over the weekend. The intent was to honor all who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and to point out that Muslim people as a religious group should not be blamed for this tragedy; that this was the work of a small group of extremists who acted out of a distorted understanding of Islam. The fact that many Muslims lost their lives in the attacks was highlighted to illustrate that people of all faiths, as well as those of no faith, suffered death and injury that day.

I was on the program to speak as a leader from the Christian tradition. In my remarks I lifted up our UCC General Synod Resolution To Counter Actions of Hostility against Islam and the Muslim Community. This resolution calls on all settings of the United Church of Christ, including local churches, to speak out against religiously-motivated violence, particularly as it is directed against the Muslim community.

As coincidence - or, better yet, the Spirit - would have it, one of the local organizations cited for its work in enacting a strategy to challenge and prevent anti-Muslim violence and hate speech was a UCC church, First Congregational United Church of Christ in Corvallis, Ore. The pastor, the Rev. Elizabeth Oettinger, was there. She spoke with passion and conviction, telling us of a small group of interfaith colleagues she meets with regularly. They call themselves "The Usual Suspects." 

Shoulder to Shoulder recognized First Congregational, Rev. Oettinger, and her colleagues for their initiative to organize citizens in Corvallis to stand with the Muslim community in the aftermath of a firebombing of the local mosque.

This was a true call and response moment. The General Synod, which is the United Church of Christ gathered in its national configuration, called on other settings of the church to enact the biblical mandate to love our neighbors, even in the face of bigotry and hatred. Here was a local UCC church and its pastor, along with other interfaith leaders, faithfully responding to that call. For me the synchronicity was simply inspiring!

I know that First Congregational in Corvallis is not the only UCC local church that is engaged in this kind of interfaith activity and witness. I know that many of our churches were about this work long before the Synod passed its resolution. I also know that there are many other faith communities and secular organizations who share our concern and commitment. However, the task of countering the tide of anti-Muslim bigotry, what I refer to as "heavy lifting," is likely to be with us a long time.

With Shoulder to Shoulder, we have made a good start. My hope and prayer is that the effort will only grow, getting stronger and stronger, creating a tidal wave of belief and action to overwhelm the voices of hatred and fear that often go unchallenged in this country.

[Taken with permission fromGeoffrey's Blog. Originally posted 10/18/11]