wfn.org | UCC Synod Preacher urges stand for truth in strange times

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

United Church of Christ
Office of Communication
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contact: Barbara Powell
phone: 216-736-2222
email: powellb@ucc.org
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Just stand up and tell the truth’ in these strange times, says Sunday preacher
by Curt Miller
PROVIDENCE, RI - July 5 1999  - It is the best of times. It is the strangest of
times.  Maybe stranger than best. 
        American Baptist pastor Dr. Prathia Hall offered a fresh take on the
GS22 theme “For such a time as this” to a 5,000member synod congregation
assembled at the Rhode Island Conference Center Independence Day morning. 
        “It is an exciting time,” preached Hall. We’re on the eve of the 21st
century  a time pregnant with possibilities. Medical science raises the miracle
bar daily. The economy’s on fire. Wealth abounds, at least among those equipped
to manipulate that fire.” 
        “It is also, however, a strange time,” observed Hall. “Wars still rage
around the globe. Armed children blast gaping holes in the suburban sense of
security.  Racism, and religious, economic and sexual tyranny rage.”
        “This is the time for which we, people of God, understand ourselves to
be called, chosen and challenged,” said the preacher. 
        Hall lifted up characteristics of Esther, the Israelite woman who
became
queen to the Persian King Ahasuerus, as examples for the church of the third
millennium.  “Esther accepts the challenge, counts the cost and makes the
choice” to foil the annihilation of Jews in Ahasuerus’ realm, said Hall.  She
courageously confronts the arrogance of Haman, a selfstyled “final solution”
man in Ahasuerus’ court. She “springs into action.” She knows the king might
kill her for speaking up.  She knows she might be killed along with the rest of
her people if she doesn ’t.  Undaunted by fatalism, she steps out in faith.
        An unpleasant aspect of the Esther story is sometimes ignored.
After the
plot to annihilate  the Jews is foiled and Haman is hanged, the Jews take
advantage of royal permission to kill people who might attack them. The death
toll is 75,000. Hall called it “defensive violence.”
        “Only the victims of oppression can determine their own response to
oppression,” she preached.   
        Well, the contemporary Christian agenda doesn’t include carving up the
perpetrators of injustice. “So what can we do to find a better way?” Hall
asked.  Her answers are straightforward: spring into action at the first signs
of injustice. Counter bigotry instantly. Stand and deliver the facts when
ignorance spins out racism, classism and all other forms of oppression. Hall’s
marching orders for the strangest of times? “Just stand up and tell the truth.”
        Sunday’s worship offering totaled $13,333. It will support the Rhode
Island Organizing Project and the Rhode Island Black Heritage Exhibit of
Heritage Harbor Museum.