A Day of Prayers and Solidarity

by David Meredith, RMN board member and Pastor of Broad St UMC.

Across Ohio, "Radical Reconcilers" gathered to pray for Josh & Trent, to share stories of hate-biased violence, and to make commitments to building King's "Beloved Community." At a children's camp, in a state park, around picnic tables in backyards, through congregational worship, and during church picnics, the prayers, stories, and commitments were shared.

At Broad St. UMC, it was an unscripted breath prayer. More than 100 worshipers were heard audibly inhaling when they heard the news of the assault. And moments later, they were heard prayerfully exhaling in petitions and intercessions for Josh, Trent, Piedmont Park, St. Mark's UMC, and all who are victimized by violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In Topiary Park in the heart of the city, lightning, high winds, falling limbs, heavy rain, and hail tried to dampen the prayers, stories, and commitments of the gathered Reconcilers in Columbus, Ohio. But "no storm can shake." How could they keep from singing? Seventeen weathered the storm including children and teenagers, singles, couples, parents, and allies. Food, faith, stories, drawings, and games built community.

In the mountains of Appalachia, along the banks of the Ohio River, in the fertile fields of farms, overlooking the shores of Lake Erie, in the great Eastern forests, and in town, village, city, and hamlet, folks from the Buckeye state took another step toward embodying God's reign and realizing King's dream.

P.S. Only God knows how many participated, but certainly more than 200 people prayed and connected. Perhaps more than a 1000 were involved, depending how many shared prayers in worship.