Remembering Harriet Tubman - March 10, 2018

As part of a nationwide celebration, Auburn, NY churches organized a community-wide Harriet Tubman Day Prayer Service to not only celebrate the legacy of Tubman but in her spirit, to collectively pray for community leaders who work to make the City of Auburn a better place to live for all residents regardless of differences that may lead to disparate opinions.

Patrick Heery, Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Auburn, NY (Photo credit:  Lisa Brennan)

"In response to recent events in Auburn and the nation, Auburn churches invite the community to gather for a prayer service on Harriet Tubman Day, March 10, at 10 am, at Lakes Church (138 E. Genesee St., Auburn). Standing together as one community, we will channel peace, love, and justice through a variety of musical and prayer traditions. In the spirit and living legacy of Harriet Tubman, we will pray for our community leaders and for all who labor for the well-being of our city and its people. We gather because we sees issues in our community that threaten to divide us and that risk the just and equitable treatment of all our citizens."

                        -Patrick Heery, Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Auburn, NY

While this event was organized in just two weeks, the vitality and exuberance of the 2018 service may point the way to another celebration in 2019, and hopefully, thereafter, for many years that naturally transition to decades that easily drift into another century. We should never forget. In that spirit, we share the March 10, 2018 order of service:

Reverend Richelle Goff, Auburn United Methodist Church (Photo credit: Lisa Brennan)

·         Opening words and Responsive Call to Worship by Rev. Richelle Goff, Auburn United Methodist Church.

·         Invocational Opening prayer and host church welcome by Rev. Joshua Czyz, Lakes Church

·         Musical selection, “You are Good” performed by Joshua Czyz and accompanying musicians, Lakes Church

·         Prayer for Racial Justice by Debra Rose Brillati, St. James' Episcopal Church

·         Scripture reading: Exodus 3:4-10, read by Shavonn Lynch, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Pauline Copes-Johnson: Harriet Tubman's Great-Grandniece, presents: "Prayer for Freedom" (Photo credit: Lisa Brennan)

·         Prayer for Freedom by Pauline Copes Johnson, Harriet Tubman Memorial AME Zion Church

·         Scripture reading: Isaiah 58:1-12, read by Rev. Patrick Heery, Westminster Presbyterian Church

·         Prayer for Service/Sacrifice by Charlie Greene, St. Ann’s Church

·         Musical selection, “It Is Well” vocals by Darlene and Lakes Church musicians.

·         Prayer for Equality by William Berry, Jr., Harriet Tubman Center for Justice and Peace

·         Pray and Lay Hands on Community Leaders by Jackie Harris, Auburn First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ

·         Prayer for Unity by Lisa Coward, Apostolic Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ

·         “Amazing Grace” by Lakes Church musicians 

·      Benediction by Rev. Richelle Goff, who requested the audience to join in a hand-held circle to recognize and really ‘see’ each other in joyous embraces. 

- In Closing, a reception and informal conversations amongst participates effortlessly proceeded. -

* * * * * 

Recognizing bill berry’s association with aaduna and its literary traditions, it is appropriate to share his original composed piece written specifically and exclusively for the Harriet Tubman Day’s Prayer Service.  The piece may be routinely shared to any social media or e-mail lists w/o intentional permission from the author. However, no commercial use in any format, way, or means is authorized, implied, or intended without the written authorization of the author.

https://youtu.be/4hBln5hUnqo

See Me

I saw your spirit

Your ability to lead.

Your perseverance.

I witnessed the essence of your long remembered conviction to express your belief in God, and challenge authority with an unashamed vigor expressed by committed folks who walked in your path decades later.

I embraced the essence of how you gave of yourself, your willingness to put the welfare of others before your own, to trample over roads permeated by injustice, hatred, and subjugation.

I wondered why your legacy remained buried, ignored, unappreciated by the larger community until your emboldened spirit sparked economic possibilities and national attention. I let go of my jaded outlook and welcomed the recognition that heroes eventually garner from the larger society even if it is posthumously. 

I marveled at your strength of character and how your gifts of service to others, your love of others, your dedication to social justice and the eradication of racism, your concern for the less unfortunate, your strength of leadership, your conviction to protect and even sacrifice your life for others…your unabashed dedication to the elders of your community. 

I existed in your brilliance and courage.

I held close the torment, persecutions and hatred that rained on you during your lifetime.

I became stronger. More focused. More dedicated.

You made me a better person. And I never met you. Knelt as you gently rocked and told stories that marveled and ignited my imagination. 

I understood the annual pilgrimage by members of your church who bore witness to your work and the God that was yours and theirs in testimony and which still engulfs the lives and purpose of 21^st century people.

But the work remains unfinished over a hundred years later.

All I want, desire and deserve is for people to

See Me.

See my value as a human being, as a person whose culture and ethnicity has value.

See Me.

As a warrior for change and social justice in the Tubman legacy.

See Me as you see yourself…a person of integrity with an open and giving heart, with positive characteristics and skills that make me employable, and worthy of respect.  

See Me in the same way that you see your children. 

See Me with your protection, assistance, and guidance when I seek it.  When I seek it…

Get ready.

See Me…the values that I was taught by my guardians, my generations of grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends and strangers who helped me struggle against oppression, all forms of discrimination, and  enabled me to not succumb to violence even though liberty in this country is marked by armed revolution.

I was taught to do for self.

To not seek handouts.

To be independent and have strength of character and honesty in my convictions.

To not ask for much unless I was willing to work for what I wanted or needed.

To exist in the graces of Harriet Tubman.

See Me.

See Me and not what you think of me.

Just

See Me.

© 2018 William E. Berry, Jr.

UPDATE:

Click Here to read the full story via The Citizen Newspaper as reported by 

Kelly Rocheleau  in the March 11, 2018 (Sunday edition)

http://auburnpub.com/news/local/community-prayer-service-in-auburn-brings-churches-together-honors-harriet/article_5b5b849c-cb3a-5ae5-a3c5-ea47414d9eda.html

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