Renewal of Hope

I was very distressed Saturday when I heard of the assissination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords that resulted in six people slain and as many as 20 wounded. The shooting was a shocking reminder of just how vulnerable all of us can be, especially elected officials and others in the public eye. Let's continue to hold the victims and those closest to them in our hearts.

I felt my faith renewed this afternoon when I met with two young women who will be part this Sunday's services, entitled "DREAMers and the Dream". Both Antonella Rodriguez and Hareth Andrade will share their experience as undocumented young people and their hopes of becoming U.S. citizens, in light of the Dr. King's work in the struggle for civil rights in the 1950s and '60s. Two other DREAMers will also speak, and we expect a number of family and friends to come as well.

When I see these young people and their courage, I imagine the youth who put themselves at risk along with Dr. King to bring about justice, equity and compassion. Our lives are richer because of the faithfulness of brave women, children and men in generations past. We have the chance to build on the foundation they laid for us, and to be allies of today's young visionaries.

I'm glad to be part of a faith community like UUCA that seeks to bring more justice and peace into the world. I'm reminded of the end of the reading "A Network of Mutuality" in our hymnal, adapted from Dr. King's words: We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means ... We shall hew out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.