Good Friday, still

A little worship catharsis for all we are living through

hi Beloved!

In case you didn’t make it to a Good Friday service last night, or in case you did but need a little *more* something to move the 100-pound stone that is sitting on your soul, here’s our service from last night at First Church Berkeley UCC.

I paired audio clips from all the horrible happenings in the news with each of the seven last utterances of Jesus Christ as he was dying by crucifixion, state-sponsored terror, with no due process.

Our friends from other UCCs in the East Bay joined us: primarily Black and queer (but everyone welcomed home!) City of Refuge UCC in Oakland, primarily Japanese-American (again, all truly welcomed!) Sycamore UCC in El Cerrito (where some members still remember the camps they were sent to during WWII), Arlington UCC that started a zero-interest loan fund so that Black families could build wealth through home ownership, and The Good Table UCC that bought a garden nursery and is turning it into a pay-what-you-can café as well as a worship space. I love my colleagues! Let this be your reminder that even if you’re not a Christian, churches can be beautiful communities where you will be welcomed just as you are and invited to do cool things that change the neighborhood or the world.

Anyhow, I *strongly recommend* you listen to the amazing Frankie Maston sing “Farafina Mousso” at minute 36:00 of the service (sound UP!), or catch Rev. Ann Jefferson’s micro sermon at minute 59:00, or pray with me through the dark night of the soul at minute 1:05:10.

Frankie singing, with guitarist Stan and our music director Derek in the background.

We’re in the middle of the story now, loves. We don’t know how it ends. It’s OK to pause, grieve, let our hope and faith wobble a bit. That’s what Good Friday is for. <3

Christlove,

Molly