One Year Later--Troubling the Waters to Heal the World

I have the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors of the Auburn Seminary. For over 200 years Auburn has identified and strengthened leaders – from the pulpit to the public square – to build communities, bridge divides, pursue justice, and heal the world. In October 2021  Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson was named President of Auburn.

One of Auburn’s core values is ‘truth telling’  –the belief that powerful communication, giving voice, and listening deeply, are critical to manifesting a new reality.  Please find below powerful words of reflection Emma shared today as we relive the horrendous acts of a year ago and the devastating impact it will have on the future of our country and all of our lives. Today let’s not sit idle, but take the opportunity to answer the clarion call for each of us to ‘trouble the waters’; to earnestly work to achieve reconciliation, peace, and justice in order to manifest a new reality and heal the world.

Kim

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In the United States of America, January 6th is the day that a sitting president unwilling to accept the will of the people and intent on remaining in power, incited a mob to violence at the People’s House. It was a failed attempt at a coup. Failed for now, I should say. History has shown us what happens when countries have ignored the same, when they cheapened the call for healing by holding no one accountable for rupture and breach. I remember watching the footage of the violence at the Capitol one year ago and thinking that this tragedy may not just be about lies and disinformation. Maybe the violence that unfolded before us on that day was also one of the many consequences of our inability to sit with and hold truths.

Truth-telling and truth-holding is the work and imperative of our times because there can be no justice and no peace – no life and flourishing – that does not begin there. Equally as imperative is the relief we need from weaponized truths.

As you face today – January 6th – I offer you a poem Maya Angelou read at the United Nations some years ago – “A Brave and Startling Truth.”  I’m including the video because who can resist the peace of her regal image, who can resist listening to her commanding voice? May the hope, possibility, and truth she invokes in her poem inspire us to show up today, wherever we are today and with whatever is the work given to our hands today, with a hunger for a more authentic connection with each other and a willingness to work for a world where all belong.

Here’s the video of Maya Angelou reading “A Brave and Startling Truth.”

Because the news and media will be showing the violent footage nonstop today, I encourage you to take good care of yourselves, friends. If you want to be in community, you might also sign up to attend one of the many virtual Democracy Vigils taking place across the country this evening.

Sending love and New Year Light,

Emma Jordan-Simpson

President, Auburn Seminary