From The Revd Dr. Martin Luther's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" April 16th 1963 (Thanks Joe Roop)

Please forgive me if this sounds pompous or self serving.


It was probably in the 1990's that I persuaded the good people of St. Stephen's, Pittsfield, MA to forgo their usual 10:00 a.m. Eucharist in favour of joining in the Week of Christian Unity service at Pittsfield's First United Methodist Church.

All well and good, except that the sermon from a Congregationalist Minister was pure pablum. Like eating pureed steak!

Later that day as I retrieved my car George Crane - a Roman Catholic Lawyer with an Ecumenical spirit cycled up to me.

"What did you think of this morning's sermon" he asked.  I muttered polite words  (There is honour amongst Clerics!).

George said "Let me tell you something.  You ministers are always telling us that God loves us. When are you going to tell us what we are supposed to do about it?"

From that moment I decided to be honest and courageous in St. Stephen's Pulpit.  Some of this had to do with my ego. Sometimes I went alone when I could/should have cooperated with other ministers. 

But I took risks for the sake of the Gospel.

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Joe Roop is a friend of mine - a Methodist layman who lives in Napierville IL.  He e-mailed me this morning and reminded me of the Revd. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his powerful 1963 letter from a Birmingham Jail; perhaps more powerful than Dr. King's worthy and famous "I have a dream" speech.

Thank you Joe.  I made it my business to read King's letter; a rebuke to well meaning (?) but socially castrated white "liberal Clerics". A rebuke to me,


Here it is.  Dr. King's prophetic words, without a scintilla of Pablum. For this gospel truth he was was murdered.

https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html




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