Barb and I took our dog Toby for a long walk around the Fells on a blustery spring day this week. As we walked past another couple in the woods, one of them said “I like your shirt!” I looked down at my decidedly nondescript jersey, and then saw that Barb was wearing one of the long-sleeve Ts that we got for a New England Annual Conference several years back. It reads (in multicolor rainbow text): Resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
I yelled back an obligatory “Thank you!” And then, feeling brave or reckless or something, I asked them, “Do you now where it’s from?”
They said no, and Barb, also feeling brave or reckless or something, said, “I go to a United Methodist Church, and this is part of our Baptismal Vows.”
The man gave us a thumbs up and said, “Cool! Pretty good way to start out!” and headed down the path with his partner.
Last Sunday, JooHee, Brian, Emily, Ray, and Alex stood near the altar at the front of the sanctuary at Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church and proclaimed “Yes!” to that calling to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” And the congregation re-iterated its commitment as well. These five have joined the church at a time when there will be plenty of opportunities to live out that vow of resistance as followers of the Way of Jesus, plenty of opportunities to get into (as John Lewis was fond of saying) “Good Trouble.”
We wish deep blessings on them and are thankful that they have decided to embark on a new chapter of their faith journey in company with the people of Harvard-Epworth.
Yeah, it’s a pretty good way to start out.
(And if folk are interested in getting these T-shirts, let me know!)
Shalom, Salaam, Peace,
Pastor Mitch
