25 Responses to “East End Fellowship for “reconciliation and justice””

1. posted by Matt C at February 13, 2008 10:05 am :
   

   Credit goes to Corey Widmer who passed this along. As I told John, I went to the first meeting of the East End Fellowship last week and was blown away. The folks involved in EEF have been active in the Boys and Girls Club, as well.

   This is what the Hill needs: It’s about the future of people, not the history of houses.

2. posted by Lawson W. at February 13, 2008 10:12 am :
   

   Thanks for this post. You described the gathering beautifully. I am overflowing with joy from my experience at East End Fellowship this past Sunday. I have longed to worship and connect with my neighbors across many dividing social barriers ever since I moved here four years ago. I do believe God is smiling at the sight and sound of things at Franklin Military at 4pm on Sundays!

3. posted by the other mike at February 13, 2008 10:47 am :
   

   “community of neighbors seeking joy and justice ”

   Just curious, by “Justice”, do they mean an end to some of the lawlessness or to end some sort of in-justice on the community?

4. posted by Norma Jean at February 13, 2008 11:46 am :
   

   “…seeking joy and justice for our neighborhood out of love for Christ.”

   What if your not Christian, or religious, for that matter?

5. posted by Karen at February 13, 2008 12:10 pm :
   

   Norma Jean, your point is…..?

6. posted by beth at February 13, 2008 12:13 pm :
   

   Oh, come on. Is everyone just trying to pick a fight? Go back to work!

7. posted by Bob at February 13, 2008 12:51 pm :
   

   Really, what’s with the antagonism when people are trying to do good?

8. posted by Houdon at February 13, 2008 1:01 pm :
   

   Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” - Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

   Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the bonds of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
   to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke?

   If you offer your food to the hungry
   and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
   then your light shall rise in the darkness
   and your gloom be like the noonday.

   —Isaiah 58:6 & 10 (NRSV)

9. posted by the other mike at February 13, 2008 1:35 pm :
   

   Mine wasn’t meant to be provacative at all…was a serious question.

10. posted by Corey W at February 13, 2008 1:37 pm :
    

    Houdon quotes MLK beautifully: “justie is love correcting everything that stands against love.” Very broadly, we understand justice to mean the way the world ought to be. That has impact on everything from our school systems to the trash on the streets to the relationships between neighbors.

    Norma Jean, we’d love for you and anyone to come even if you’re not a Christian or religious. Even though we’re operating from a Christian perspective, we think this call to joy and justice is a calling for everyone. So please do come and be a part.

11. posted by beth at February 13, 2008 1:50 pm :
    

    I guess you’ll just have to show up and see on Sunday afternoon.

12. posted by JES at February 13, 2008 1:59 pm :
    

    This is also a serious question . . .

    Is the intent to bring together the community, or to bring together Christian members of the community?

13. posted by jason at February 13, 2008 2:18 pm :
    

    It is a church. you do the math.

14. posted by JES at February 13, 2008 2:20 pm :
    

    But, it is not a church. It very specifically says “It’s not affiliated with any one particular group or church — just a group of neighbors, young and old, black, white, and brown, new residents and old, who want to see our neighborhood renewed spiritually, socially and culturally.”

15. posted by Corey at February 13, 2008 2:29 pm :
    

    Not sure why my earlier post didn’t clear… Let me comment on the justice question first. Houdon quotes MLK beautifully: “justice is love correcting everything that stands against love.” Very broadly, we understand justice to mean the way the world ought to be. That has impact on everything from our school systems to the trash on the streets to the relationships between neighbors.

    Norma Jean, we’d love for you and anyone to come even if you’re not a Christian or religious. Even though we’re operating from a Christian perspective, we think this call to joy and justice is a calling for everyone. So please do come and be a part.

16. posted by Norma Jean at February 13, 2008 5:23 pm :
    

    Thanks Corey. I really appreciate your answer to my question that was given with respect and without prejudice. My question was asked in that spirit also.

    Thanks for walking the talk. I will try to attend.

17. posted by Guilty Mom at February 13, 2008 9:08 pm :
    

    Right on, Corey!
    Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Jewish,Wiccan or card-carrying member of nothing, a social, cultural and spiritual renewal of our neighborhood sounds like it may have something for everyone. Besides, don’t we all want to put a face to some of the names we see here all the time? I, for one, am dying to meet Archie Bunker!

18. posted by UnionHill RVA at February 16, 2008 10:10 am :
    

    Corey, I was approached my one of the meeting’s canvassers and one of the first thing he said was “Jesus Christ.” I declined is invitation to attend because I interpreted his speech as proselytizing.

    Now, your posts are tempting me to attend your Sunday gathering.

    During meetings, does the group pray to Jesus Christ?

    Like most of us, I try to live by Judeo-Christian ideals (they’re pretty much the same as Muslim, Buddist and Unitarian standards for living.)

    But my household could be described as ’secular humanist’; while respecting all religions and faiths.

    The personal belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour brings great comfort to many of my neighbors and friends. And I respect yours and their right to gather and be active in the community.

    However, I just want to know (before I decide to attend) if Christian prayer is part of the meeting? If so, how much of a part?

    Thanks for letting me know (there might be someone else who wondering, too.)

19. posted by JES at February 16, 2008 11:22 am :
    

    ME!

    That’s what I meant when I asked if they were trying to gather neighbors or christian neighbors. Thanks for being more thorough in your questioning.

20. posted by Corey at February 16, 2008 4:12 pm :
    

    Thanks for your thoughtful question and I do understand your concern. Our meeting is indeed a Christian worship service. In that light, we’ll be singing Christian songs, reading from the Bible, talking about Jesus Christ, and someone will most likely pray in Jesus’ name. That being said, we are very aware that everyone present is not a Christian or shares our beliefs, so we try to talk and pray and share in a way that recognizes that diversity, allows for questions and doubts, and communicates respect.

    I recognize this is not an easy tension. I admit with shame that many Christians in history have used their faith in Christ as a basis for exclusion and judgment. I think I can say realistically that in East End Fellowship, the grace found in Christ enables us to serve and love the people of this neighborhood (regardless of what they believe) rather than separate from it. And we are very aware that we by no means have all the answers to help heal our neighborhood, but that we need to learn from and work with others in our community who may believe differently.

    I understand if you’re uncomfortable with the Christian worship element, but we would love to have you come and observe without feeling any pressure to participate.

21. posted by UnionHill RVA at February 17, 2008 11:01 am :
    

    Corey, thanks so much for the very thorough description of your Sunday afternoon gatherings. Sounds like you have a wonderful thing going on.

    It’s especially nice to hear that your group welcomes everyone to join you in faith and fellowship.

    Glad to know your group is active in our community.

22. posted by JJ at February 19, 2008 3:28 pm :
    

    And the results …?
    Sadly, I was in NY and couldn’t go.
    Can anyone let me know thier opinion, comments and/or the result of having attended: The Fellowship “reconciliation and justice”…
    JJ

23. posted by Mike B. at February 23, 2008 7:02 pm :
    

    My wife and I went last Sunday and we plan to go tomorrow. It was sort of divided into two parts. The first was a sort of non-traditional church service involving a few songs, some verses from the Bible and some preaching. It was relaxed and earnest, but not at all stuffy, maybe more like an outdoor hand joining than a cathedral wedding. The second part was, I think, entirely secular. Down in the cafeteria, most of the people who were at the service sat around and ate pizza and drank sodas. It was fun and raucous and I got to meet some neighbors I might not have otherwise encountered. The pizza part was very family friendly and there were kids playing all over the place. My recommendation would be to go and check it out and even if the service isn’t your cup of tea, stick around that one time for the fellowship afterwards.

24. posted by john johnson at February 24, 2008 10:41 am :
    

    Thanks Mike B for the update.
    Observation: we had 21 comments,( back and forth), on what this event was and was not going to be and attitudes proliferated. But when you ask what happened or the result - you get a single constructive reply. Seems like the folks enjoy the fuss and feathers of discourse but not the positive meat and potatoes of participation and involvement.
    JJ

25. posted by Allie at December 14, 2008 4:35 pm :
    

    I am not a member of the Church Hill community, however do live in Downtown Richmond. I would love to have a chance to come check the service out!

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