Meeting for worship and reflection on racism -- 10/22

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Zach Alexander

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Sep 27, 2008, 12:12:14 PM9/27/08

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OK, here's the new date: 10/22, 7:30p at Beacon Hill. More below.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Greg Williams <gcw...@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Subject: [sq] A MEETING FOR WORSHIP AND REFLECTION WTH A CONCERN, RACISM
To: Beacon Hill <anno...@lists.bhfm.org>, NEYM Salem Quarter <neym-sale...@yahoogroups.com>, Friends Cambridge <fmcq...@iecc.com>, jan...@earthlink.net, cathyw...@aol.com
Cc: Jonathan Vogel-Borne <fiel...@neym.org>, Linda Jenkins <lindaje...@yahoo.com>, Dwight Lopes <dlo...@snet.net>, Ian Harrington <ow...@comcast.net>

Dear Friends and Attenders of Quaker Meetings in Greater Boston, We need your help!

We are in the midst of a national election cycle where the undercurrent of Racism has been in front of us for several months. As concerned individuals, as individuals related to the Religious Society of Friends, we cannot let a negative message about race, overpower our will to transform our society and the world at large.

Frederick Douglass told us "...There must be a struggle." He told us "...Power concedes nothing without a demand..." But there is change in the air. We are not only making demands, we as a people across a living rainbow have a unique "Power!" Racism has no power over, Justice!

The work of the Freedom Riders was a positive message from women and men, Black and White! Those
who sat at the lunch counters, those who marched in the streets of Selma and elsewhere facing water cannon, dogs, and worse....

They were moved to act from a position of Strength and Power. It was not a struggle of weakness and fear that began to move the world, when Rosa Parks refused to move on that bus so many December's ago.

Today, we Friends must struggle, deeply rooted in a positive position of Power. We know as well that we have in history not always done well ,in our positive position. But there is Woolman, the Mott's, Rustin, and many other Friends who with their lives offer examples we can and should follow.

The Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Beacon Hill Friends Meeting invites you to be present at a Meeting for Worship and Reflection which considers the question of Race from a position of empowering strength, and justice. We will meet at Beacon Hill Friends House 7:30 to 9:00. We hope for a larger discussion beyond our community, we are reaching out . Over the coming month we will be inviting individuals and groups to share this moment of worship. Out of a waiting silence we will share the positive power of Truth in reflection and discussion. Invite a friend who is not a Quaker to join us. Post a flyer or pass out a dozen. Hold us in your Prayer, your Light, your Mist. This has to be much more then our small committee effort if it is to be successful.

I can send you copies of the flyer by net or by mail. This is only the beginning of an effort to address questions of race. Long after tonight's debate, long after the November Election
racism will have to be addressed. We Friends should be up to the challenge.

For the Committee,
Under the Mist of a Living Justice

Greg Williams

(617} 501-6258

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