Two stories of dancing were part of our Bible readings this week. The first comes from the lectionary reading of 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 where we read of King David rejoicing in dance before the tabernacle of God, celebrating the return of the ark and entry into his new capital Jerusalem. The second reading comes from Mark 6:14-29, the story of Herod foolishly promising anything to his step daughter/niece for her dancing. She runs to ask her mother what she should ask for and the spiteful Herodias tells her “ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” In his sermon Rev. Kent called attention to the burning of African-American churches, always more flammable when white privilege and power feel threatened, and often offered up as the agents of white supremacy try to save face in light of their dangerous and foolish misunderstandings. Here is Rev. Kent’s prayer offered by Betty Hibler at our Sunday worship service:
Holy Spirit, who danced the world into being, who rejoiced on the shores of the crossed sea, and leapt to life in very garden of death, hear the prayer of those treading more careful and deadly steps. Please tend to those who dance with fear and danger. Send soft music of strength to those who wait with hunger. Sustain those who are making peace in small batches huddled in small rooms, giving what they can so we might one day dance in the street. Let joy come, let joy and justice be our music. May we call for no heads, may we burn no churches, may none of your children be forced to live in fear of their lives, may the sick find healing, and may all feet join you in dancing a new world into being. Traced in steps of justice, peace and healing, may we dance with you a Kin-dom worthy of the God we love. Amen. –Rev.Kent Gilbert
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