“From this womb”

A reflection inspired by the conference “Awaken Chicago”[i]

 

View of the center aisle in Rockefeller Chapel, the University of Chicago, site that hosted the opening and closing plenaries for “Awaken Chicago” . mig

by Magdalena I. García

From this womb

I was birthed into church ministry

twenty seven years ago[ii]

and now the water breaks again

and the labor pains return

and the birth canal opens anew

and I am launched one more time

into this journey of ongoing awakening

to the power of all people TOGETHER[iii]

to disrupt systems of ignorance and oppression

both internal and external

that perpetuate the myth of separation

by teaching us to fear

who we are and the other.

From this womb

I am now sent forth into public service

renewing the commitment to spiritual activism

connecting, learning, and acting

in collaboration with partners across the city

so that TOGETHER we may alter

the enslaving narrative of worthlessness and greed

and deepen our understanding of dignity and respect

in order to change the conditions

causing isolation, inequality and violence.

Awaken, Windy City, 
and listen to the voices blowing from your streets.
Awaken, City of Broad Shoulders, 
and embrace the challenges ushered from your streets.
Awaken, City in a Garden, 
and invest to eliminate disparity from your streets.
Awaken, My Kind of Town, 
and celebrate the transformation emerging from your streets.
Awaken, Chicago, 
and see the light of hope emerging from your streets.

© Magdalena I. García

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[i] awakenchicago.org

[ii] In June 1989, I received a Masters of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, a requirement towards ordination as a Presbyterian minister. The commencement ceremony was held at Rockefeller Chapel.

[iii] This line is take from the “Awaken Chicago” conference theme.

“Lying there” / “Tirados ahí”

A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on John 5:1-9

First published on 4/26/16 by Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices

Quilt featuring Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African American who was fatally shot on February 26, 2012, by George Zimmerman a neighborhood watch volunteer, in Sanford, Florida. This item was part of the Annual Quilt Show at the United Church of Hyde Park, in Chicago, in 2014. mig / Acolchado que muestra a Trayvon Martin, un afroamericano de 17 años que recibió un disparo fatal el 26 de febrero de 2012 de parte de George Zimmerman, un vigilante comunitario voluntario, en Sanford, Florida. Este artículo fue parte de la Exhibición Anual de Acolchados en la Iglesia Unida de Hyde Park, en Chicago, en el 2014. mig

by Magdalena I. García

thirty eight years

lying on the floor

with healing delayed

for lack of a compassionate soul

that would put his body into the pool:

such was the fate of the man at Bethesda

thirteen months

lying in a grave

with justice delayed

for lack of a compassionate system

that would bring his case to a court:

such was the fate of Laquan McDonald[i]

countless centuries

lying in oblivion

with inclusion delayed

for lack of a compassionate community

that would offer a place at the table:

such is the fate of minorities in the church

God of Healing,

forgive us for denying resources

to those who wait to be made well.

Heal us from blindness and apathy,

so that all your sons and daughters

may stand up and walk.

God of Justice,

forgive us for denying due process

to those who demand to be heard.

Prosecute us for neglect and abuse,

so that all your sons and daughters

may live and thrive.

God of Inclusion,

forgive us for denying acceptance

to those who long to be welcomed.

Release us from fear and greed,

so that all your sons and daughters

may belong and feast.

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“Tirados ahí”

Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado en Juan 5:1-9

Publicado originalmente el 4/26/16 por el blog de la revista Presbterians Today: One Church, Many Voices

por Magdalena I. García

treinta y ocho años

tirado en el suelo

con la sanidad postergada

por falta de un alma compasiva

que metiera su cuerpo en el estanque:

ese fue el destino del hombre de Betesda

trece meses

tirado en una tumba

con la justicia postergada

por falta de un sistema compasivo

que trajera su caso ante una corte:

ese fue el destino de Laquan McDonald[ii]

incontables siglos

tiradas en el olvido

con la inclusión postergada

por falta de una comunidad compasiva

que ofrezca un lugar en la mesa:

ese es el destino de las minorías en la iglesia

Dios de la Sanidad,

perdónanos por negarles recursos

a quienes esperan ser curados.

Sánanos de la ceguera y la apatía,

para que todos tus hijos e hijas

puedan levantarse y caminar.

Dios de la Justicia,

perdónanos por negarles proceso legal

a quienes demandan ser oídos.

Enjuícianos por negligencia y abuso,

para que todos tus hijos e hijas

puedan vivir y prosperar.

Dios de la Inclusión,

perdónanos por negarles aceptación

a quienes anhelan ser bienvenidos.

Libéranos del miedo y la avaricia,

para que todos tus hijos e hijas

puedan pertenecer y festejar.

© Magdalena I. García

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[i] A 17-year-old black male armed with a small knife that was shot 16 times by a Chicago Police officer on October 20, 2014. Video of the shooting, captured on a police car dashboard camera, was released to the public 13 months after the shooting and only after independent investigators demanded release of records.

[ii] Un joven de 17 años, de raza negra, armado con una navaja pequeña  que fue balaceado 16 veces por un oficial de la Policía de Chicago el 20 de octubre de 2014. Un video del tiroteo, captado por la cámara del tablero de una patrulla, fue divulgado al público 13 meses más tarde y sólo después de que investigadores independientes demandaran acceso al expediente.

“By our love” / “Por nuestro amor”

A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on John 13:34-35

First published on 4/19/16 by PresbyteriansToday magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices

A Christ the Redeemer monument with open arms and a heart-shaped wreath surrounding a cross at Montrose Cemetery, in Chicago, remind us of our calling. mig / Un monumento a Cristo el Redentor con los brazos abiertos y una corona con forma de corazón encerrando una cruz en el cementerio Montrose, en Chicago, nos recuerdan nuestro llamado. mig

by Magdalena I. García

not by our preaching

not by our teaching

not by our publications

not by our knowledge

not by our experience

not by our credentials

not by our historic confessions

not by our form of government

not by our legislative assemblies

not by our steeples

not by our pipe organs

not by our stained glass windows

not by our choirs

not by our recitals

not by our praise bands

not by our potluck meals

not by our bingo nights

not by our rummage sales

not by our silence

not by our apathy

not by our disregard

that’s not how the world will know

that we are Jesus’ followers and disciples

but rather by our caring presence

simply by our love

Caring God, forgive us for disobeying your commandment

and for failing to love one another

as you have loved us.

Affectionate God, help us to live in such a way

that the world around us is transformed

simply by our love.

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“Por nuestro amor”

Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado en Juan 13:34-35

Publicado originalmente el 4/19/16 por el blog de la revista Presbterians Today: OneChurch, Many Voices

por Magdalena I. García

no por nuestra predicación

no por nuestra enseñanza

no por nuestras publicaciones

no por nuestros conocimientos

no por nuestra experiencia

no por nuestras credenciales

no por nuestras confesiones históricas

no por nuestra forma de gobierno

no por nuestras asambleas legislativas

no por nuestras torres

no por nuestros órganos de tubo

no por nuestros vitrales

no por nuestros coros

no por nuestros recitales

no por nuestros grupos de alabanza

no por nuestras cenas grupales

no por nuestras noches de bingo

no por nuestros mercados de reventa

no por nuestro silencio

no por nuestra apatía

no por nuestra indiferencia

no es así como el mundo sabrá

que somos seguidoras y discípulos de Jesús

sino por nuestro cuidado presencial

simplemente por nuestro amor

Dios Cariñoso, perdónanos por desobedecer tu mandamiento

y por fallar en amarnos mutuamente

como tú nos has amado.

Dios Afectuoso, ayúdanos a vivir de forma tal

que el mundo a nuestro alrededor sea transformado

simplemente por nuestro amor.

© Magdalena I. García