On Friday, June 5, Shirley and I took part in the Denver Prayer March. Episcopalians, Lutherans (ELCA), and United Methodists from the metro area, were “United Together in Prayer.” We gathered, marched, prayed in downtown Denver to address the racial disparities confronting our communities and our nation. The march was to encourage our faith communities to join together to mourn and grieve with those who have experienced the trauma of persecution, violence, suffering, and death.
During this event we were told to wear masks, and at all times to maintain six feet of physical distancing. They were very forceful in stating their concerns about everyone being safe during the walk considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We were also asked to remain silent during the march in order to better reflect and pray about what we were marching for.
We made stops at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, the State Capital, and Denver’s Police Department-District 6. At each we prayed and read names of those persons of color who have died while in police custody since 2014; over eighty names were read, which was difficult to hear. What was also very hard for us was when they asked us to kneel, or lay down for eight minutes and forty-six seconds. They asked us to do that at each stop, and that was very emotionally agonizing. Those minutes seemed to last forever, and it hit home about the painful death that George Floyd had to endure. It was amazing to see many people laying flat down on the street or sidewalk as a gesture of solidary to what people of color have had to suffer for many years. The people who took part in this act were basically saying they get it; that our nation has not treated persons of color fairly, and in some cases treated them very violently. My prayer is that more people could begin to listen and get the message about the suffering in our communities.
This time of the COVID-19 Crisis has caused me a lot of stress and strain as it has many throughout the world. Now we throw into the mix what has happened over the past few weeks, and I like many others are near the edge. The last few weeks has caused me to ponder on the times of my life when my skin color has caused me to be given less than fair treatment. Thus, this period has been very heart-rending for me, and I have had to do a lot of reflecting, because of the hurt, anger, and disappointment that I have been experiencing.
The Prayer March was helpful for me to be able to see so many people of faith coming together, to stand up against the injustices that people of color have had to endure for decades; not just for the past few weeks, but for generations. I know that I will be okay as time moves on, for my hope is not in human actions, but in the love of God. That love is infinite and will last forever; however, right now as a fallible human being, I am struggling. My heart goes out to those in our nation and the world who are suffering through no fault of their own; only that they are different than others in some manner, or that they are caught in a situation from which they can’t remove themselves.
May you find ways in your local area to stand together with others in expressing your feelings about matters you are passionate about in your community, state, and in our nation. God bless you and your loved ones, and may you feel God’s love, no what circumstance you are in at the moment. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
During this event we were told to wear masks, and at all times to maintain six feet of physical distancing. They were very forceful in stating their concerns about everyone being safe during the walk considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We were also asked to remain silent during the march in order to better reflect and pray about what we were marching for.
We made stops at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, the State Capital, and Denver’s Police Department-District 6. At each we prayed and read names of those persons of color who have died while in police custody since 2014; over eighty names were read, which was difficult to hear. What was also very hard for us was when they asked us to kneel, or lay down for eight minutes and forty-six seconds. They asked us to do that at each stop, and that was very emotionally agonizing. Those minutes seemed to last forever, and it hit home about the painful death that George Floyd had to endure. It was amazing to see many people laying flat down on the street or sidewalk as a gesture of solidary to what people of color have had to suffer for many years. The people who took part in this act were basically saying they get it; that our nation has not treated persons of color fairly, and in some cases treated them very violently. My prayer is that more people could begin to listen and get the message about the suffering in our communities.
This time of the COVID-19 Crisis has caused me a lot of stress and strain as it has many throughout the world. Now we throw into the mix what has happened over the past few weeks, and I like many others are near the edge. The last few weeks has caused me to ponder on the times of my life when my skin color has caused me to be given less than fair treatment. Thus, this period has been very heart-rending for me, and I have had to do a lot of reflecting, because of the hurt, anger, and disappointment that I have been experiencing.
The Prayer March was helpful for me to be able to see so many people of faith coming together, to stand up against the injustices that people of color have had to endure for decades; not just for the past few weeks, but for generations. I know that I will be okay as time moves on, for my hope is not in human actions, but in the love of God. That love is infinite and will last forever; however, right now as a fallible human being, I am struggling. My heart goes out to those in our nation and the world who are suffering through no fault of their own; only that they are different than others in some manner, or that they are caught in a situation from which they can’t remove themselves.
May you find ways in your local area to stand together with others in expressing your feelings about matters you are passionate about in your community, state, and in our nation. God bless you and your loved ones, and may you feel God’s love, no what circumstance you are in at the moment. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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