NOTES FROM WEST MOUNTAIN – The Rev. Mark E. Diters
20-20 Vision 2020: RACE AND JUSTICE…ENVIRONMENT AND JUSTICE
“Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.” -Maggie Kuhn, leader of the “Gray Panther” movement
Earlier today I participated in a press conference by Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong and Arunan Arulampalam, Assistant Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection. The press conference was announcing their joint investigation into Immanuel Ku, former owner of 26 buildings in Hartford located in the North End. I was present as a board member of the Center for Leadership and Justice, (formerly the Christian Activities Council) to add another head in the crowd of supporters of this investigation, mostly former residents in Ku’s apartments. (Some people are talking heads, I am just a head.) Immanuel Ku was the first of three different slumlords identified through the “No More Slum Lords” campaigns in that part of Hartford. The condition of the apartments he owned defy any adequate description. The residents lived in filthy, broken down and rotting structures, teeming with rodents and physical hazards everywhere you looked. The apartments had piled up hundreds and hundreds of city housing code violations, all the while receiving millions of dollars from HUD; essentially defrauding the American people. Last year Ku sold all of his units for over six million dollars, tripling what he paid for the units eleven years before. This investigation is to hold Ku accountable for his misdeeds, including recovering the money he received illegally and to provide restitution to his former residents.
Two of the speakers during the press conference were former residents, Teri Morrison and Josh Serrano. I have heard them speak a number of times. As the campaign initially began years ago, both of them arose as natural leaders, often at human and bodily risk, to be voices for their neighbors who felt unable to speak. Both of them had 20-20 vision in their own right, both had the courage to be voices in the wilderness, to say what they saw, and both of them witnessed to the truth.
I give thanks for Josh and Teri for many reasons, but this day I am most grateful for their truth-telling and courage which has meant so much to so many.
Looking ahead, Lent begins on February 26. During the weeks of Lent, we will be engaged in the theme “20-20 Vision: The Environment and Justice”. We are asking for assistance and input from the congregation to shape this endeavor. Please contact Mark or Berta Reis if you have ideas or wish to take part in the planning. In the works…
- The Collaborative Center for Justice of Hartford has offered to come and hold a workshop examining Pope Francis’s recent encyclical on the environment, ‘LAUDATO SI’ (Be Praised) On Care for our Common Home (date to be determined)
- A book study “Climate Church Climate World”, written by the Rev. Jim Antal, former Conference minister in Massachusetts. It will be offered on a weekday as well as on Sundays. (Dates to be determined.)
Some Questions For us All to Consider: Is there a project we might undertake to help us engage deeper? Are there particular pieces of writing, art, music or poetry which come to mind that expresses some of the issues at play?
Peace,
Mark
FEBRUARY SECOND MILE OFFERING: INTERVAL HOUSE OF HARTFORD
For over thirty years Interval House of Hartford has been providing help for women, men, and children dealing with domestic abuse. Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling dominant behavior that may be physical, emotional, verbal, technological, and financial.
Domestic violence can cause physical injury, psychological trauma and in severe cases death. It affects individuals in every community regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation,
gender, race, religion or nationality. Interval House has started a new program for refugees and immigrants. Threatening to call ICE and possible deportation is a form of abuse being heard within these communities.
Interval House provides 24-hour hotlines, safety planning, emergency safe housing, support groups, criminal and court advocacy, and community education and outreach.
Please consider contributing to this vital organization. For more information visit their website at intervalhousect.org
YOGA AT FLAGG ROAD UCC
All are welcome to join the free yoga class offered at Flagg Road UCC on Saturday mornings, 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
T’AI CHI CLASSES
All are welcome to attend the T’ai Chi class meeting here at Flagg Road UCC on Monday, February 3rd and Monday, February 17th. 6:00-7:00 pm.
SPIRITUS: BREATHING IN, BREATHING OUT MINI RETREAT
Please join us on Saturday, February 8, 2020, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. as we take a few hours to step away from our busy winter lives to nurture, renew, and re-energize our faith in a guiding spirit with conversation, meditation, and community as we experience the love of the Divine in our lives.
We will provide snacks, coffee, and tea for a break, but feel free to bring a lunch in case you would like to hang out for a while afterwards to continue our conversations. Please Contact Mickey Lawler at skydyes@comcast.net with any questions.
FEBRUARY YOUTH GROUP EVENT
The Youth Group will be meeting on Sunday, February 9th, starting when church ends, to enjoy lunch together (grilled cheese and rolling our own sushi rolls!) and then spend some time cleaning up and organizing the Nursery and kitchen areas. Youth Group, see you then!
CHURCH-WIDE PANCAKE DINNER AND BINGO
Save the date! Please join the Youth Group for a Pancake Dinner and Bingo Night on Tuesday, February 25th, starting at 6:00! The Mardi Gras feast will include a pancake dinner and King’s cake, and the celebration will continue with multi-generational bingo playing— including prizes! There is no cost for the event; this is one of the ways Youth Group gives back to our church! There is a sign-up in the Lounge. See you then!
