One woman's stirring account of her experience as a counter-protester in Ch'ville.
This was published in the online pages of Auburn Seminary. After the Nazis announced their rally in Ch'ville, members of the clergy organized a counter-march. This is an account by one of those marchers.
They are all heroes.
http://auburnseminary.org/will-america-pick-cross/
WILL AMERICA PICK UP ITS CROSS?
By Lisa Sharon Harper
On Saturday, August 12, in Charlottesville, I was faced with a choice: “Would I pick up my cross?”
Jesus warns his disciples: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)
Just before walking onto the street, organizers of the Charlottesville Clergy Call walked us through the changing dynamics of the situation. There would be four times more white nationalists in Charlottesville than previously projected. One quarter of the clergy they thought would be there actually showed up. If we stepped onto the street we were risking arrest, injury or death—from the police or the white nationalists.
We knew what we were walking into.
We knew that we might not come back.
I was hesitant and torn and almost didn’t do it.
I imagined the devastating loss my mother would feel upon hearing of my death in Charlottesville. I felt guilty for leaving her alone just before her second knee surgery. How would she make it through? I imagined not being present to witness my nieces and nephews and family.
It was as if all that is most treasured in my life flashed before my eyes as the rest of the clergy walked out onto the street.
I sat in silence and begged God for a definitive word.
God spoke: “Be present.”
SNIP
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