On December 2, 2008, Reconciling Ministries Network hosted an Advent Open House with the theme, "Gather Around the Manger". Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey, Dean of Students at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary gave the message, something to think about and take with us for Christmas and the New Year.
Scripture:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...John
1:14
During the message, Dr. Lightsey offered a gift in the form of a quote from Toni Morrison's book Beloved.
In Beloved, the character Baby Suggs, described as an "an unchurched preacher" is speaking to a gathering of former slaves and free African Americans:
"Here," she said, "in this here place, we flesh; flesh that weeps, laughs; flesh that dances on bare feet in grass. Love it. Love it hard. Yonder ... they do not love your flesh. They despise it. They don't love your eyes; they'd just as soon pick em out. No more do they love the skin on your back. Yonder they flay it. And O my people they do not love your hands. Those they only use, tie, bind, chop off and leave empty. Love your hands! Love them. Raise them up and kiss them. Touch others with them, pat them together, stroke them on your face 'cause they don't love that either. You got to love it, you!...This is flesh I'm talking about here. Flesh that needs to be loved. (Beloved, p.88)
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
