This week.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”  – Mt. 16:24

Pre-COVID-19 I loved going to the movies to watch comic book movies. In 2018 I was really excited to go to the opening weekend release of Black Panther. The audience was diverse in age, race, and experience level with comic book movies. I laughed afterward as I watched a young White comic book kid explaining to an older Black man about how Black Panther fit into the MCU.

I was really ready to send 2020 packing when I heard that Chadwick Boseman, a.k.a. King T’Challa in Black Panther, died. It was made even more heart wrenching when I learned that for much of Boseman’s time in the spotlight he was fighting cancer. In spite of his illness, he continued acting and serving the community.

Representation matters. We need our superheroes to represent the full diversity of our community. We need a world where White kids and Black kids want to be Black Panther on Halloween. In the church, we need saints that represent the full diversity and experience of the people of God.

This week The Episcopal Church celebrates the life and ministry of a Deacon David Pendleton Oakerhater (originally Okuhhatuh), a Cheyenne spiritual leader and warrior who fought against the United States to protect Indigenous peoples’ land rights, for which he was imprisoned. He was ordained a deacon in 1881 and returned to Oklahoma where he was instrumental in founding schools and missions, through great personal sacrifice and often in the face of apathy from the church hierarchy and resistance from the government. He continued his ministry of service, education, and pastoral care among his people until his death on August 31, 1931. He was the first Native American to be added to the calendar of saints in The Episcopal Church.

So this week I am thankful for the example of David Oakerhater, and his commitment in the face of apathy and resistance to serve Christ and his people. I am also thankful for Chadwick Boseman, who invited us to see the world differently.

Do you have a favorite saint? Are you Marvel or DC? Come by Trinity Commons tomorrow from 4-6 pm and tell me about it.

-Kelley

SCHEDULE

• Tuesday, 4-6 pm at Trinity Commons & Zoom
  Take a break and drop by Trinity Commons, and cool off with a popsicle. Kelley will be hanging out from 4-6 pm, and ready to hear about your day. You can also join via Zoom.
• Sunday, 6 pm Worship at Trinity Commons & Zoom
  Join us for Church Outside. Wear a mask and invite a friend. You can also join us via Zoom.