Tag Archives: standing on the side of love

Black Lives Matter: When You Remove One Sign, Three Takes Its Place

Posted on January 26, 2016 by KGJ

This week, in the city where I live, the mayor endorsed the installation of a Black Lives Matters sign on the City Hall building.   Downtown.  On Main Street.  On the front-facing facade of the building that is the seat of … Continue reading →

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Prayer on the First Anniversary of Michael Brown’s Death

Posted on August 9, 2015 by KGJ

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of all of our hearts contribute to peace and justice in this world.  I invite you at the end of each passage to speak these words in unison: We bear witness. … Continue reading →

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Showing Up for Racial Justice: One White Person's Wading into the Waters… (Part II)

Posted on July 19, 2015 by KGJ

Part II: C’mon In, the Water’s … You Tell Me I wonder if you might have some time right now to talk with me about racial justice, about what’s going on in our nation, and how heart-breaking it is? With … Continue reading →

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On the 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth: In the Shadow of Mother Emmanuel AME

Posted on June 19, 2015 by KGJ

Today marks the 150th anniversary of Junteenth – 150 years ago, and two and a half years after it should have – word of the Emancipation Proclamation made it to the enslaved African and African Americans of Texas.  Reaction included … Continue reading →

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Arriving at the Rally on Police Brutality in the Back of a Police Cruiser

Posted on December 8, 2014 by KGJ

 Or, A Story of Ms. Panache and Her Four Angels Her floppy hat was made of thick velour, different colors, covered in political buttons and fabric flowers. Her scarves were multiple and multi-colored. She walked with a metal cane that … Continue reading →

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Let's not Just Make Noise, Let's Make a Difference: On the Night of No Indictment of Darren Wilson

Posted on November 25, 2014 by KGJ

I am supposed to be moved to write something, or say something, or craft some response to the news from Ferguson, Missouri. Something deep or inspiring. Instead, I am stunned. And sad. Existentially fretful. Deeply discouraged. I have nothing new … Continue reading →

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Furtive Movements: The New Jim Crow Over & Over (part I)

Posted on October 21, 2014 by KGJ

Maybe you were like me when the George Zimmerman trial was going on, shocked (not necessarily surprised) that the defense would come up with something so totally messed up as to say that Trayvon Martin was not unarmed because he … Continue reading →

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Nobody, but Nobody, Can Make It Out Here Alone (sermon)

Posted on October 12, 2014 by KGJ

First Parish Church of Groton, Groton, MA Karen G. Johnston, Intern Minister October 12, 2014 (a link to the audio of this sermon is here) Let me begin with gratitude. For you, this body of people who makes a place … Continue reading →

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The Ferguson Challenge: Talking Across Race

Posted on August 21, 2014 by KGJ

I just returned from business travel that required flying in and out of Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) airport. I had to take a taxi from the airport to where I was scheduled to work. Though I tend to be rather non-conversational … Continue reading →

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Notice Who Matters: The Readings from Many Voices (Part I of 2)

Posted on August 17, 2014 by KGJ

The following readings were the heart of worship this morning at the Unitarian Society of Northampton & Florence, reading aloud by eleven different voices.  With two exceptions, you can click on the author of each of the readings to find … Continue reading →

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