Day 5: Rest
Today, we slow down and catch up.
For those of you who follow the Christian tradition and teaching of Sabbath, Sunday may be a day of rest, enjoyment, and perhaps even feasting. For this reason, today we intentionally slow down on our march across the Bridge of Lament, pause for rest, and give you a chance to catch up on this week’s readings.
On Day 1, we kicked off our bridge crossing by celebrating Juneteenth. Rebecca D. Martin led us in reflection on the connection between Juneteenth and the events in Appomattox, Virginia:
On Day 2, we heard local author and architectural historian Travis McDonald talk about the enslaved and free Black craftsman who built Lynchburg. McDonald tells us, “The role of black craftsmen, enslaved and free, was a common and important occurrence in Virginia, Lynchburg, and throughout the South. The practice of buying, selling, or renting skilled enslaved or free black craftsmen was a critical factor for construction in any community.”
On Days 3 (Friday) and 4 (Saturday), we began a three-part series on the history of Court Street Baptist Church in downtown Lynchburg. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that the most segregated hour in America is noon on Sunday, and that's just as true today as it was when he spoke in 1964. This story sheds some light on why and is a “testament to the perseverance, enterprise, and faith of a godly people”:
Coming this week:
Jeremiah Forshey will bring perspective to the Confederate Soldier monument at the top of Monument Terrace.
Activist and businessman Tom Gerdy will reflect on a local slave auction block.
We will read a poem by Thomas Jefferson Anderson III, the great-grandson of one of the five city council members in the 1880s.
The week leading up to July 4th:
We will hear Anne Spencer's poetry recited by Rebecca D. Martin.
We will savor African American cuisine with Cat Hutchison while thinking about the Lynchburg food deserts.
We will lean into Independence Day with another city council member, Randy Nelson, who will share his personal story of local Camp Kum Ba Yah welcoming the Black youth into its pool when the city closed its own pools.
I can’t wait to bring you the conclusion to the story of Court Street Baptist Church tomorrow as we pick up from where we left off and continue our journey together.
The readings of history including personal accounts was truly amazing, stories of strong faith and integrity and love and care. Thank you for putting this together so well Kenton. Praying your work changes hearts and lives. Here is a prayer out of the Book of Common Prayer for those who inform public opinion.
Almighty God, your truth endures from age to age: Direct in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may speak your truth to make the heart of this people wise, its mind discerning, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen