Friend Jesus, you have said to us, “My peace I leave with you.” This peace that you give is not that of this world: it is not the peace of order, when order oppresses; it is not the peace of silen… — Prayer from the Italian Waldensian Community
by Ken Sehested Having been sheltered during adolescence from the Civil Rights Movement (and most everything else outside my small hamlet—except, of course, the far reaches of missionary testimonies), when my attention did turn, during seminary, I became a voracious reader of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others of the era. One […]
Ken Sehested Invocation. “How I Got Over,” Mahalia Jackson, the last musical performer during the August 1963 March on Washington. A shout from her (she was standing a few feet from King), “tell them about the dream, Martin,” prompted King to abandon his written script and extemporaneously launch into that part of his speech we […]
An unconventional list Ken Sehested While it’s true that mothering songs often emphasize comfort, it’s not at all true that songs of comfort are flaccid, limp, or weak-kneed. Lullaby is not quietism. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is both an animator (think “tongues of fire”) and a comforter. Comfort is the sustenance given […]
• “Hear this, O People of the Dream,” a litany for worship commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. • “Dream On: Martin Luther King Jr., the Beloved Community and post-holiday resolve” • “Faithful Witness: The testimony of Scripture and of Martin Luther King Jr.” a collection of texts • “Martin Luther King's birthday commemoration,” a […]
Signs of the Times • 17 January 2019 • No. 183 ¶ Processional. “Precious Lord,” performed by R&B singer Ledisi Anibade Young. Minutes before the assassin’s bullet found him, King called out, from the Lorraine Motel second floor balcony, to the music leader for that night’s rally, “I want us to sing ‘Precious Lord’ tonight.'” […]
Signs of the Times • 9 May 2018 • No. 161 ¶ Processional. “Holy Mother, where are you? / Tonight I feel broken in two. / I've seen the stars fall from the sky. / Holy mother, can't keep from crying. / Oh I need your help this time, / Get me through this lonely […]
Signs of the Times • 13 December 2017 • No. 147 ¶ Processional. “Prepare the Way,” Jaques Berthier, performed by the Choir of Grace Luther Church, River Forest, Illinois. Above: Wildfire approaching Springs of Life Church in Casitas Springs, California. AP photo/Noah Berger. Special issue MARY'S MAGNIFICAT ¶ Invocation. “We are waiting . . . […]
by Ken Sehested ¶ Connecting the dots—or, as we now say, intersectionality. “But when, exactly, did the post-civil rights era begin? Arguably it was fifty years ago today when in a speech [‘Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence,’ aka ‘Declaration of Independence From the War in Vietnam’] at Harlem’s Riverside Church Martin Luther […]
Signs of the Times • 4 April 2017 • No. 115 ¶ Processional. “Mother Mary, full of grace, awaken. / All our homes are gone, our loved ones taken. / Taken by the sea – / Mother Mary, calm our fears, have mercy. / Drowning in a sea of tears, have mercy. / Hear our […]
Signs of the Times • 23 February 2017 • No. 110 ¶ Processional. “Create In Me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51),” Thingamakid children’s choir, Jacobs Jewish Summer Camp. Above: A cloud of ash, set aglow by lightning, billowing from Puyehue volcano near Osorno, Chile. (Getty) ¶ Invocation. “Come, O Life-giving Creator, / and rattle the […]
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