I look forward to the time when the vaccine is available to everyone.

Dear Congregation,

 I hope all is well with you. I am glad to hear that so many of you have received the Covid vaccine! I look forward to the time when the vaccine is available to everyone.

 I wanted to share with you that I was one of the three presenters in this morning’s ZOOM call monthly meeting of the MCCJ Interfaith Clergy Dialogue.

The topic was “Spiritual Traditions of Dissent”. As someone whose call to Christian ministry came strongly in the area of social justice, it was interesting for me to discuss briefly the UCC’s commitment to social justice from its inception, and how that has played out in my life. I made a point of letting the group know how grateful I am to be serving a church committed to social justice. One of the all-time highlights of my ministry life was demonstrating with you at the Homestead Detention Center for Immigrant children demanding its closing.

There are two issues concerning social justice in the news at present of which I want to be sure you are aware.

The first is the concern that the Homestead facility may be reopening. Activists have recently returned to take up their post on the corner across from the facility to protest that possibility. At today’s MCCJ meeting we agreed to take action to contact the local Homeland Security leadership to request information on what the plan is.  We want those in charge to know that the local faith community believes transparency is vital. We do not want to see a return to the secrecy that shrouded that facility before it was closed. I will keep you informed as to what we learn.

The second is around two bills that are in the Florida legislature criminalizing public protest and dissent. They are House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 484. I urge you to do some online research on these bills, then reach out to your representatives to express your concern.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be actively involved in doing what we can to help create a just society. As you may have heard me say more than once, “There’s a lot of work to be done in the world!” It’s a joy when we do it together.

God bless you and keep you safe.

In Christ’s love.

Pastor Candy