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CIRCLEWOOD
DAY OF LISTENING, LEARNING, AND LOOKING
WELCOME
This page is to facilitate a day of listening, learning, and looking for ways to act in response to recent events of racial injustice and the resulting unrest and protests in America. There are many incredible resources available to help us - we have highlighted the ones below to give you a reasonable amount to go through in a day, and to provide a variety of content and forms - there are 2 to watch, 3 to read, 1 to hear, and then resources for action and further learning. While many of us are setting aside 24 hours together - 7pm Thursday, June 4 to 7pm Friday, June 5 - we invite you to participate when it works for you. We are praying for you, and participating with you.
God Bless - the Circlewood Team
FASTING GUIDELINES
IF YOU ARE FASTING FOR THE DAY
The are three main reasons to fast:
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To repent
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To draw closer to God
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To seek guidance for the future
From a health perspective,
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Keep hydrated
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Walk, but keep exercise mild
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Stop if you don't feel well
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Think through what you want to do during typical mealtimes
ISAIAH 58: 6-9
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe the and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
TWO TO WATCH
"Come, Great Spirit." Visual prayer for the day - 3 minutes
Let this visual prayer open your eyes, ears, heart, mind, and hands as it shows us the interconnectedness of creation and invites the Spirit to come and heal. CLICK THE PHOTO FOR LINK.
"George Floyd, Minneapolis Protests, Ahmaud Arbery & Amy Cooper" - 18 minutes
Trevor Noah, known for his thoughtful and comedic commentary on American life, shares serious and insightful thoughts on the killing of George Floyd, the protests in Minneapolis, the dominos of racial injustice and police brutality, and how the contract between society and black Americans has been broken time and time again.
THREE TO READ
These Black nature lovers are busting stereotypes, one cool bird at a time. - 5 minute read
These young Black naturalists -- and the birds they love -- are some of the stars of Black Birders Week, a series of events and activities designed to highlight Black scientists, scholars and everyday nature lovers. While spreading their joy and knowledge, the countless people involved in the movement are also raising visibility of Black achievement at a painfully critical time. CLICK THE PHOTO FOR LINK.
"Shalom and the Community of Creation" - 15 minute read
Short excerpt from Randy Woodley's excellent introduction to indigenous theology. This section (pp.131-136), gives a brief critique of the American Dream and ends with a call to learn from indigenous perspectives. Click the PDF icon to access the pages.
"Racism, Police Violence, and the Climate Are Not Separate Issues" by Bill McKibben - 10 minute read
From the article: "Over the years, the environmental movement has morphed into the environmental-justice movement, and it’s been a singularly interesting and useful change. Much of the most dynamic leadership of this fight now comes from Latinx and African-American communities, and from indigenous groups; more to the point, the shift has broadened our understanding of what “environmentalism” is all about." CLICK PICTURE FOR LINK.
ONE TO HEAR
“The Fight for a True Democracy" - 43 min podcast
The “1619” audio series is part of The 1619 Project, a major initiative from The New York Times observing the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. This is the first episode: "Four hundred years ago, in August 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. No aspect of the country that would be formed here has been untouched by the 250 years of slavery that followed."
ACTIONS TO TAKE
“75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice"- article
Do not be overwhelmed by this list. Read it to find one or two that you can do now. CLICK THE PHOTO FOR THE LINK.
Native Land Search - Find out whose traditional lands you are living on. Take steps to learn more about them. You can start by checking the map at THIS LINK.
Keep Learning - There are so many great resources. This is just a partial list. Click the Word icon.
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