As many of you know, I am not originally from Baltimore and I almost didn’t apply for the position at Redeemer due to the ‘reputation’ Baltimore had nationally and in my own family. My great-grandmother, my mother’s maternal grandmother, was born in Baltimore and orphaned here when her father, a Baltimore policeman, was beaten to death while on duty. As a youth, she was packed up and sent down the Chesapeake to settle in and work for a doctor in Gloucester, Virginia.
Not only am I glad that I did pursue the position, I am delighted to be at Redeemer. I am also glad that my eyes were opened to the “other” Baltimore. I am thankful to have been able to experience the greatness of this remarkable city as well as its challenges. I now proudly call Baltimore my home and am committed to joining others in working for the betterment of all its people. This is truly a “Don’t judge a book by its cover” story (or by television shows set in it).
This past week has been hard on all of us who love this city and who also recognize its shortcomings. We revel in the beauty, vitality, creativity, and all that makes this a great city, we weep with all who can’t share fully in it, and we strive to change it for the better. We call on all our leaders to join us in building up this and all cities, towns, villages and communities here and around this nation and the world.
I want to share with you a litany from First and Franklin Presbyterian Church, a church which dates from the 1700’s. May it serve as a balm to our aching hearts and a clarion call to strengthen our efforts to build God’s Kingdom here, in Baltimore, and throughout the earth.
Leader: O God, you created humankind and imbued us with the desire to live in community. We pray for all cities and towns, tribes and villages, that we may learn to celebrate both our similarities and our differences. We pray for all leaders that they might strive for justice and dedicate themselves to supporting and improving the lives of all those who have been entrusted into their care. We pray especially for our city of Baltimore.
For a city with filled with spirit, courage and vision in hard times. For the work of her grassroots organizations . . . like CeaseFire, Safe Streets, BUILD and others . . . Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory!
Leader: For the beauty of the Inner Harbor, Druid Hill Park, Gateway Park and Patterson Park. Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory!
Leader: For a city that has a representative who was born a sharecropper’s son. For Baltimore’s daughters and sons who led in the struggle for civil rights, who fought the good fight, who refused and still refuse to keep silent until all persons are treated fairly and seen as precious in your sight. Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory!
Leader: For her daughters and sons who fought and died for constitutional democracy, and for all who have died . . . Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory!
Leader: For synagogues, mosques, temples, and churches that work, hope, pray and march together . . . Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory!
Leader: For artists, musicians, dancers, writers and all those who fill this city with color, story, movement, sound and imagination . . . Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory.
Leader: For a city where you can love who you were created to love . . . Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory.
Leader: For small businesses and large, throughout this city, which are committed to improving the fabric of our communities. For their leaders and workers who live here, love here, belong here . . . Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory.
Leader: For the city of Baltimore, that her past glories may be nothing compared to her future glory . . . Let heaven and earth say,
People: To God be the glory.