Scripture: Luke 23:26

Across the country, United Methodist Women have been engaged in monitoring home-grown terrorism through the "Hate Clipping Project." This is a joint venture between the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries and the Center for Democratic Renewal in Atlanta, Georgia.

United Methodist Women monitor media coverage of issues of hate and bigotry. The newspaper and magazine clippings sent by the United Methodist Women are analyzed by the Center for Democratic Renewal.

This simple act of clipping newspaper coverage of hate crimes raises awareness among those who deny that such crimes exist in the country. Targeted minority communities, recipients of home-grown terror, have more than enough evidence to prove that such a reality exists.

From 1998 through 2001, volunteers involved in this national tracking project have sent documentation of 287 separate incidents of hate crimes. Church burnings are over and above the hate crimes being monitored. At least 117 separate incidents, from a total of 146 articles, shows the recent wave of church burnings during last Easter holiday. The January 1, 2001 desecration of Red Hill United Methodist Church in Vancleave on the Mississippi Coast demonstrates religious intolerance, as shown by the satanic symbol of '666' painted on the church. Most of the burned church congregations are either ethnic minorities and/or churches in social ministries.

This station of the cross reminds us that Simon the Cyrene was a man of African descent who carried the cross of Jesus when he had stumbled. Members of United Methodist Women shoulder the cross when we stand up against hate crimes. A hate crime is one that is committed because of intolerance of someone’s race, religion, ethnicity, gender, physical or mental abilities, or sexual orientation.

REFLECTION:

(1) How do you watch, listen and challenge hate?

(2) Have you heard about the Charter of Racial Justice? If not, contact the office of Racial Justice, (212) 870-3732 and learn more about the stance of the United Methodist Women's Division and possible action plans for your local unit.

(3) If you want to learn more about the "Tracking/Clipping Project," or find about the forthcoming new manual, "When Hate Groups Come to Town," contact the Office of Racial Justice at the above phone number.

Sing UMC Hymnal #533. "We Shall Overcome"

PRAYER:

God of sacred place and safe haven, God of the outcast and the voiceless, God the abled and disabled, we praise you. Give us the wisdom to be a church of open doors. Give us the courage to stand by those who are threatened by violence, so that we may prove that if one member suffers, we all suffer. Amen.