Church Sermon and Slavery

Well, I spoke before about wanting to create a program at uor church on slavery, past and present. I am finally getting the chance to get it started. I have been doing research all morning and thinking about what I can include in a Labor Day weekend sermon.

I have most recently not enjoyed it when it was my turn to lead at church. I get nervous and procrastinate- thus making my sermons rather rambly and incoherent (kind of like my blog). I also HATE standing at a podium, but I am going to give it a try.

I have a lot of the facts and many, many resources to build the sermon on- but the question lies in how to make it inspirational. How can we discuss slavery and leave feeling good? What can we really take from this topic that leaves us empowered with some sense of control over the world? I feel rather inspired right now- like I am really doing something important by getting these facts out there in the first place...but then- what really can a group of 15-20 Unitarians in Southern Illinois really do with this information other than feel badly about it?

I guess I could sum it up in a few steps:

1) Knowledge is power. Spread the word. Don't turn a blind eye on it.
2) Find out what people are already doing to help- and help them. Join their letter writing campaigns, give them money, and buy their products. Again- spread the word.
3) Analyze your purchasing habits. Sometimes boycott is easier tna you think. If you know one company imports their cacao from the ivory coast for example- use another brand. Look for items that are labeled "Fair Trade". If its too expensive to do this all time- just do it some of the time or use that product less (Couldn't we all drink a little less coffee anyway?)
4) Contact your congress people and Senators, write the president and heads of companies. Sometimes these small efforts make a big impact.
5) What did I forget? What are your ideas?
6) and last- as a religious person, can you pray? Meditate/ send positive enrgy inot the world? How could it hurt?

Then, the other things I have to gather when planning a service include short opening and closing readings, a responsive reading, a hymn possibly, and a musical piece for listening.

I think maybe I'll treat the congregation to fairly traded coffee and chocolate after the service.

THEN, I think I will invite them to join in on some of the other activities I talked about before, like watching Sankofa or reading Disposable People. I know in October Adam is doing a sermon on Human Rights Education. That will be good.

I wonder if anyone would sign up for a series of classes on the modern slave trade? I found some great educational materials at Free the Slaves.

You know, it is planning things like this that make me the most frustrated about living here and also feel good about it. I haven't seen anyone else talking about these issues in this town and they are really very important. So, I am here in Mt. Vernon doing good work for our community in building a UU church and for the world in what we do with this church.