Together We Can

Dear friends, 

What can I do? What can I do about the injustice I am more awakened to each day? What can I do to learn and grow so I can be a better neighbor and friend? What is my role in the conversation of race?

These are difficult, tough, and uncomfortable questions. No matter where you find yourself on the spectrum of politics, religion, or your particular life stage, these are the questions facing us. 

If you are having a difficult time answering these questions on your own, you are not alone. If you tried to order a copy of White Fragility, Me and White Supremacy, The Color of Law, or any other books on race, you know many were out of print and back-ordered for months. Our country’s relationship with race has been messy at best. At worst, our relationship has been blood-soaked, terrorizing, and traumatizing.

Your Session has been wrestling with how to help lead our congregation forward on matters of race and injustice. We covet your prayers.

This summer, my good friend Richie Butler invited me to join the board of Project Unity. Richie created Project Unity in the wake of the police shootings that took place during the peaceful protest in July of 2016. Project Unity was launched to bring people of different upbringings, backgrounds, and races together for intentional conversations about race while sharing a meal.  Together We Dine events have taken place throughout Dallas since 2016 as thousands of people have learned that conversations on race can be life-giving and powerful. Preston Hollow has was honored to host two Together We Dine events and the rehearsals for Together We Sing: Gospel Goes Classical.

Last week, Project Unity held a press conference to announce a new Together We Can Initiative. Together We Can provides individuals, corporations, and groups of all kinds the tools to educate, enable, and empower a lifestyle of mindfulness and action against racism. You can find ways to be involved and committed to this initiative at https://www.togetherwecan.one.

Mother Theresa diagnosed all the world’s problems this way, “We have simply forgotten that we belong to one another.” Friends, we need to remember that we belong to one another. We are not just neighbors. We are not just Dallasites. We belong to one another, in mind, body, and spirit. The invitation is for us to renew our mindfulness to this reality and create a lifestyle of belonging in our great city.  

Yes, it will be messy. Yes, there will be bumps along the way that may be uncomfortable. But, I believe it will be holy, for this journey will return us to one another.