by The CT Faith Leaders Collaborative
The 16-member CT Faith Leaders Collaborative includes the Senior appointed or elected leaders of CT’s Baptist, Catholic, Congregational, Episcopal, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Houses of Worship as well as Independent Hispanic and African-American Congregations and Councils of Churches whose collective houses of worship in CT number well over 1,200, membership is in the Millions and constituent service and ministry recipients are literally countless. We reside in every County and Municipality in the Nutmeg State.
Yesterday we wept for America as we saw violence unfold in our Nation’s Capital. For the 1st time in 208 years and only the 2nd time in U.S. history the world’s strongest symbol of civil government and the consistent home of “peaceful transition of power” came under direct physical assault and blood was shed in the hallowed halls of Congress. This atrocity is the fruition of activities and actions that, if unabated, will certainly unravel the very fabric of the “American Experiment.”
We must seize this moment to recalibrate America’s Moral Compass. The day celebrated by many as the ‘Epiphany’ serves as a destined pivot point for the awakening of the spiritual conscience of the land of hope and freedom. For too long good men and women have remained silent as partisan politics and self-serving politicians have created divisions in the ‘United’ States. Today we must raise our voices and shatter the silence of complicity with the chorus of unity.
In this historical moment, we will determine by our responses, whether we stand on the brink of disaster or the bridge of destiny that leads us out of the valley of partisan politics, racial and social injustice and systemic inequity. The response of CFLC (Connecticut Faith Leaders Collaborative) is to Lead our State in Prayer for Divine Strength and Wisdom as well as to Act Boldly through Convening, with our fellow CT citizens, an ongoing non-partisan, ecumenically led Community Conversation series in concert with CT’s Federal Delegation, Governor and General Assembly. Please see the dates/times at the end of this announcement for the initial events:
We choose to travel the latter path, the bridge of destiny, for the next phase of our history. We look first to God and second within ourselves to find direction. Together we will summon the fortitude to rise above the ashes of hopes and dreams not yet realized and go forth as “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Our scriptures call, “Come let us reason together, though our sins be as scarlet, God will make them ‘whiter than snow.’ The prayer of St. Francis cries out, “Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.”
This is a time where the choice for America and our democracy is life or death. We implore you to join us as we choose life.
CT Statewide Prayers for Healing, Racial Justice, Equity and Divine Direction – Sunday, January 17, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00 pm via Zoom.