Dear Friends,
Last Friday, Tracey and I spent much the day at the Art Institute exploring two stunning exhibits: Gustave Caillebotte, French Impressionist who often focused on sporting and working men, and Elizabeth Catlett, printmaker and sculptor who represented the experience of the Black struggle and promoted the cause of justice for the poor. Artists separated by years and styles, yet both capture the beauty, the dignity, the importance of each human in their art.
As we were leaving the museum, I received this text from parishioner John Dufour, social worker at Mozart Elementary School: “ICE is all over my school’s neighborhood. They tear gassed a grocery store to get people out, other schools nearby are going into soft lockdowns to keep kids safe. This is insanity!”
Since some of us at All Saints have undergone rapid response training, I asked if we should mobilize folks. Then I posted on a Signal chat for Northside clergy and texted Courtney, who responded that she was on her way to McPherson Elementary near All Saints, which was also rallying folks due to ICE presence. So, Tracey and I decided to drive to Logan Square to be present at school dismissal. During that 30-minute drive, we caught up on the drama unfolding, as I read aloud news reports of tear gas use in a grocery store and neighborhood street and an Alderperson being handcuffed by ICE and texts with John and All Saints’ parishioners who live in Logan Square.
I could feel my anxiety and anger rising even as we drove through our beautiful city on a crisp, warm, gloriously sunny and blue-skyed fall day. When we got to Mozart, we drove all the way around the block-large campus, and what we saw brought tears to our eyes: every few feet stood rapid responders on alert, “Know Your Rights” pamphlets in hand. The entire school was rung with community members—20 and 30 somethings who must work from home, retirees, young dads and moms pushing strollers getting ready to pick up kids, school staff, and many more—and as we drove south on Hamlin towards the front of the school, there was John Dufour, alert but smiling as always. “Seems like you’re well protected,” I said. “Yep, we’re good,” John replied.
So Tracey and I went to Funston Elementary nearby where we found the same thing: community members ringing the building, some standing a block away on the lookout. We went to Humboldt Park Health Clinic and, again, there were the brave, no-nonsense Chicagoans, out to make clear that we will protect the vulnerable and stand against fear. Courtney found the same at McPherson. Though angered and saddened by the need of it, we both were bolstered and touched by the bravery and kindness on display.
This is a hard time, but there are some concrete, simple things we can do: stand together, get trained to be an effective witness, show up when we can. If masses of people are trained as Rapid Responders, every incidence of fear mongering and violence could be met with non-violent, courageous witness. If you’re wondering how we as people of faith, how you, might show up, please read below. There are some simple ways to be trained and to get involved; we can all play a part in keep our city, our country, brave and free. And in the doing so, we keep our hearts soft and courageous, too.
That’s a lot to share in a “Dear Friends” letter! Another way to keep our hearts soft and open, loving and courageous, and, yes, joyful is to keep gathering together, growing deeper in our connections to God and one another. So, please join a small group this fall (sign up extended)! Join in worship on Sunday morning and / or Taizé this Sunday or Evensong next Sunday! Join a community conversation about these times on Tuesday, October 14! Come to Episcopal 101! You can learn about all of that and more in the newsletter.
Grateful for each and every one of you good, faithful, brave, and courageous people.
See you in church!
Faithfully, Suzanne+