The NC Council of Churches is proud to publish a brand new e-book collection of testimonies from Moral Mondays. With 32 short vignettes from North Carolinians across the state, Voices of Moral Mondays tells the story of everyday folks being motivated to speak out on account of their faith. Many, though not all, of the accounts describe what it was like to engage in civil disobedience and be arrested by the authorities. Click here to download the free e-book.
By Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh
As these words take form it is the Feast of the Transfiguration in the Christian tradition. A day on which we recall a divine light breaking through the everydayness of life to reveal the power of God’s love to transform. To me, Moral Mondays mean shining a bright light on the needs of God’s people all around us, stranger and friend alike, people of all ethnicities and economic standing, of all ages and backgrounds, and to reveal the ways in which our decision-making transforms for the better or the worse the circumstances of life in the here and now.
Moral Mondays are about bearing witness to the two Great Commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors. My understanding of the promises I made in Baptism compelled me to be a participant and to encourage others to participate – to work for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Being the vulnerable creatures we are, human beings can inadvertently or intentionally slip into the habit of making decisions based on our personal fears of whomever we perceive is “the other.” To me, Moral Mondays are about revealing injustice and oppression which is so often cloaked in language which covers up or even distorts the real-life impact on real-life people.
I am personally affected by the issues raised up by Moral Mondays because I am part of the human family. I am a woman – our rights are more limited than they were before. I am a voter – our rights are definitely more limited. I am a parent of a teacher – support for professional improvement is more limited and the resources for students are more limited.
I am a person who believes that everyone deserves access to health care and to a job with a living wage and to have safety nets available in times of trouble. I am one who, based on my faith, believes we are our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers. I am a person who believes it is short-sighted to limit human rights either legislatively or judicially.
On Moral Mondays, I found myself often moved to tears by being in the midst of such a great crowd of witnesses, amid the marvelous diversity of participants, and surrounded by the energy which filled Halifax Mall. My hope is that we can find a way forward, that we can undo the damage which has been done to the people of North Carolina and to the systems of our society. We are in this life together, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. Ultimately whenever we hurt one, we hurt all. It may take awhile for the impact to be felt among those insulated by power or wealth. We can hope that open hearts and high ethical and moral standards will prevail. May we continue to be bearers of light in the days to come.
Closing Session – 2011 Legislative Seminar from NC Council of Churches on Vimeo.
