CHURCH on Martin Luther King Sunday

"God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24

​The choir was in full swing and straight off got toes tappin' and soul singin'. About 30 radiant members in two lines under an 20' by 15' (?) stained glass. Dress directions must have been broad, e.g. "wear black and white." The interpretations varied; one member chose a black two-piece suit with white trim, pearls, black pumps, net stockings, every hair in place. Another wore yoga-type black baggies with a loose white linen blouse, fro' flyin'. The men's choices ranged from maximally coordinated to relaxed. It worked; everyone, about 20 blacks and 10 whites from age 25 to 75, was singing from the heart. 

Immediately, I was happy to be there. 

After an opening round of gospel songs that we heartily joined in, everyone sat for the children's moment. About 25 kids in about the same black to white ratio as the choir - ages maybe 4 to 12 - came forward to the altar's stairs. The youth leader positioned himself with the mike and asked "what comes to mind when you think of Martin Luther King?"

• man,
• husband,
• peacemaker,
• dreamer,
• activist,
• speaker,
• preacher 

My magnificent critical eye awoke. Um... Why would "black" be omitted?  It wasn't like he was a mathematician or doctor.   I started to look around.

The stained glass depicted Mary and baby Jesus glowing white at night in the woods midst angels, children, animals. 
But Mary and Jesus were black or brown, melanated.  

Throughout the service, there was no mention that Martin Luther King was assassinated like another black civil rights activist, Jesus. 

History is like the human body. When it is not aligned, when it lacks integrity, when it is out of whack, it doesn't serve it's function as an illuminator of human experience. 

The stained glass window might be an opportunity to remember the depth of the lies in which we are immersed and the terrible, terrible consequences of those lies for millions and millions of people. Isn't it true that the liar is as damaged as the one lied to? Every time someone gets away with a lie, they fall deeper and deeper into ruin. 

How could this beautiful church use their window "to worship in Spirit and in Truth?" 

"God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24