Particularly Scandalous Response to the January 6th Capitol Riots?

Because [St.] Francis was not an intellectual, he did not begin with universal philosophies and ideas and abstractions. He began with the specific, the particular, the concrete: this person, this squirrel. I believe love is always, by its very nature, particular. “Just this!” When you start with the specific, you have a beautiful doorway to the universal.

Walter Brueggemann says the entire biblical revelation is built on “the scandal of the particular.” (by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation daily meditation, June 24, 2015)

Jesus coming as a particular, limited human being to a particular time and place is rather scandalous for he embodies God, Creator of the Universe, omnipotent, all-powerful. And yet, isn’t this the only way we can really understand God at all – as a specific spirit-filled body that we can grasp and hold on to and not some nebulous, otherworldly being? Wasn’t it absolutely necessary for God to come in just such a particular, finite person to show us infinite love, forgiveness and grace?

So, we, on the Tapestry Team, have taken this notion of “the scandal of the particular” to heart. We have taken our universal Affirmation of Baptism rite, and made it more particular. We have taken the 3- fold renunciation and made it 4-fold (because there is just that much to renounce) and named specific racially-driven sins to renounce. We have taken the baptismal promises we make and named detailed ways those promises may be lived out through anti-racist practices and actions. This is our response to the racist, hate-filled, violent events at our Capitol on January 6th. We invite you to this response as well.

We have given some ideas about how and when to use the rite, and given congregations license to tweak it as needed.

Is it scandalous? Maybe for some.

Is it particular? Most definitely.

Is it necessary? YES!

Also find linked below two surveys, one for congregational members, and the other for pastors. These are designed to get your feedback on ways the Tapestry Team can be a resource for churches in their anti-racism work. Please consider taking the time to fill one out.