A Sending Rite in the Midst of an Uprising

by Elle Dowd

In Creation, God delighted in diversity and called us all, “Very Good.”

Do you promise, therefore, to honor people of all races? To see the face of the Creator in yourself and your neighbor? To treat them as your siblings, holy and beloved by God? If so, say, “I do and I ask God to help me.”

I do and I ask God to help me.

Through our ancestors, the prophets, God spoke on behalf of the oppressed.

Do you promise, therefore, to give your attention to the Black and Brown prophets in your midst? To amplify their voices and follow their leadership? To align yourself with them through bold social action and a just redistribution of resources? If so, say, “I do and I ask God to help me.”

I do and I ask God to help me.

Through the person of Jesus Christ, God came to Earth as one of the marginalized. He was crucified by the state to satisfy the blood lust of humans and his execution ignited a movement.

Do you promise, therefore, to be present with those who suffer because of racist violence? To act alongside Black, Brown, Asian, and Native people as co-conspirators in their liberation? To resist Empires of Death that demand blood sacrifice? If so, say, “I do and I ask God to help me.”


I do and I ask God to help me.

The Book of Acts at Pentecost tells us that each person gathered was able to speak their own language, and all were understood.

Do you promise, therefore, to work for cross-cultural solidarity in our church and world? To give preference to the voices often silenced? To celebrate people and cultures without demanding assimilation? If so say, “I do and I ask God to help me.”

I do and I ask God to help me.

In the last days the Book of Revelation tells us that people of all tongues and nations will gather together around God’s throne.

Do you promise, therefore, to believe in a kingdom without borders? To put your hope in God’s heavenly reign? To forsake allegiance to powers that draw you away from this vision? If so, say, “I do and I ask God to help me.”

I do and I ask God to help me.




Charges

In baptism we all have vowed to work for peace and justice in all the earth. As siblings through the waters of baptism I charge each of us, then, before God and our Lord Jesus Christ, who at the last days will judge all the living and the dead;

Proclaim the good news of Christ’s liberating love to all people.

Divest your hearts and wallets from the forces of evil in this world that draw you from God.

Dismantle white supremacy and all systems that keep you from care of neighbor.

Live into the future reign of God breaking in at this very moment.

+Amen.