The Social Justice Service Sunday, Oct. 15th, introduced urgent issues and resolutions for congregational vote Nov 5th. Here is the poem by Deborah Bond-Upson, read by Lori Ford and her as Opening Words:
Resolute to Transcend the Dissolute
Volcanic mountains dip sandy toes in an azure sea,
On our island slope, aloha meets our life-force chi.
Blessed to be in fellowship here, alive in this glorious land,
Our joy should eclipse all care – yet in pain we understand:
Our country is enacting, backtracking, hacking and fracking.
Leaders represent us when they’re the last ones we’d be backing.
Across our island, state, country, globe, hopes of equity are fading,
Against humanity, comes greed, hate, hoarding, and raiding.
Surprised and shocked by our leaders’ bellicose tracts
They are matched by other nations’ intolerant acts.
Leaders tapping into fear and anger, and greed
Blast a non-stop, ignorant, embarrassing screed.
Yet we cannot be caught in negative reaction,
Instead, we must drive for empathy and satisfaction.
So, how can we find equity, justice, and peace
While loving our brother when he disagrees?
What actions can we take?
What resolutions should we make?
Now we come to focus our response,
To strategize actions to engender renaissance!
Your social justice council brings you our draft
For new and revised resolutions together to craft.
With these drafts, we propose we resolve
Around which, our efforts, this year to revolve.
Hear ye, Hear ye! Time to think clearly.
Define our intentions. Then meet them quite nearly!
Below is a link to the resolutions so that you can read the full text of any and all: