"Colin Kaepernick & My Cousin Opal Lee"
 
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been featured prominently in the news lately because of his refusal to stand during the national anthem.  Kaepernick's actions have caused a firestorm of controversy including people burning his jersey and calling for his dismissal from the NFL. Kaepernick refuses to stand because he says:

"There are a lot of things that are going on that are unjust that people aren't being held accountable for.  And that's something that needs to change. That's something that this country stands for - freedom, liberty, justice for all. And it's not happening for all right now."
 
With regard to the controversy, I agree with Kaepernick's decision to protest by sitting during the national anthem.  I agree because our nation was founded upon the bedrock principle of the right to peaceably protest and this is one of the things that makes our country truly great -- a right that we should all support. Indeed, former NBA great Kareem Abul-Jabbar put it well when he said, "What should horrify Americans is not Kaepernick's choice to remain seated during the national anthem, but that nearly 50 years after Ali was banned from boxing for his stance and Tommie Smith and John Carlos's raised fists caused public ostracization and numerous death threats, we still need to call attention to the same racial inequities."
 
What I don't agree with, however, is Kaepernick's decision to wear socks depicting police officers as pigs in order to protest police brutality.  I don't agree with this because there are too many divisions between the police and our communities and instead of fanning the flames of discord and division we need to spread love and bring people together, and this is where my cousin Opal Lee comes in.
 
On this past Thursday, Opal began walking on a 1,300 miles journey from Forth Worth, TX to Washington, DC in an effort to make Juneteenth, the day that commemorates the abolition of slavery, a national holiday.  This might not normally be a big news story, but it has garnered media attention because Opal is 90-year's young and she has said that her true goal is to unite the nation at a time that is filled with so much hate. 
 

                           CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE JUNETEENTH PETITION

I recently prayed with Opal and her efforts are grounded in faith and in the power of God to do "exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20). Now, if a 90-year-old lady can set out determined to complete a 1,300 mile walking journey in order to advocate for change, then what does that say to us about what we're willing to do? We must have the faith and determination that with God all things are possible and that we can better our lives and make our country and world better -- places of love, liberty, and justice for all!
 
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Kip Banks, Sr. 

 

Prayer Conference Call Number - 
Please join us for our daily (M-F) prayer conference call. These 10-minute calls are a great way to start your day and include a daily scripture lesson.  Please join us at (1-641) 715-3272 access code: 732413# at 7:00 a.m.


EVENTS THIS WEEK:

LABOR DAY - Monday, September 5 - CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

FOOD PANTRY TRUCK DELIVERY   - Wednesday, September 7 - 9:00 a.m.

FIRST WEDNESDAY IN THE WORD - Rev. Elizabeth Wiggins 
will be our preacher. - Wednesday, September 7 - 6:30 p.m.

BAPTIST WOMEN FELLOWSHIP - Thursday, September 8 - 10:30 a.m.

BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY - Thursday, September 8 - 12:00 p.m.

MEN'S CHOIR REHEARSAL - Tuesday, Sept 6 & Thursday, Sept 8 - 7:30 p.m.

DEADLINE FOR ANNUAL BUSINESS REPORTS - Friday, September 9

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST - Saturday, September 10 - 8:30 a.m.

DIACONATE MEETING - Saturday, September 10 -9:30 a.m.

CHILDREN & YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSAL - Saturday, Sept 10 - 12:30 p.m.

VOICES OF PRAISE CHOIR REHEARSAL - Saturday, September 10 - 1:00 p.m.

Men's Day - Join us as we explore the themes of justice, compassion and fairness for all in our prayer breakfast at 8:30 am on Saturday, Sept. 10, and our Annual Men's Day worship service which will take place at 11;00 am on Sunday, Sept. 11. The Rev. Joshua DuBois also known as President Obama's "Pastor in Chief" will be our guest preacher. Men's Day Choir rehearsals are Tuesday, September 6 th and Thursday, September 8th at 7:30 pm.
East Washington Heights Baptist Church | 202-582-4811 | www.ewhbc.org
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