I'm at a preaching conference this week in Atlanta. Several of the country's best preachers are present to share their thoughts and sermons with the hundreds of pastors gathered here. Last night we were privileged to be addressed by Andrew Young.
Young, best known perhaps as the former Mayor of Atlanta, and as a former U.N. Ambassador, was one of the key players in the Civil Rights Movement. He is also an ordained pastor in my denomination, the United Church of Christ. We're proud to claim him as one of our own!
Young shared with us a number of stories from his time working with Martin Luther King, Jr. It was very inspiring. He reminded us how far we've come, how much progress has been made. But he also reminded us that we still have a way to go when it comes to equal rights for all Americans.
This past week there was a lot of conversation about same-sex marriage. Coincidentally, a young woman who I helped mentor as she prepared for ordination, just posted pictures of her new baby on Facebook. One of them featured a cradle made by her father out of her grandmother's old sewing cabinet. Talk about family values! She and her same-sex spouse are overjoyed! Fortunately for them and the baby, they live in New York--for now. But what happens to this lovely young family--I use the word intentionally--when they move to another state?
Andrew Young is right. There is work to be done.
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