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We Can’t Wring Our Hands Tomorrow If We Don’t Fold Them Today
The President of the United States has issued the statement that “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.” Along with that threat come threats to blow up bridges and decimate power plants and water treatment facilities.
Let’s carry that out to some of its logical conclusions: Shipments of medicine and food will sit on the roadside unable to get to the people who need them. Hospitals may run on generators for a while, but when the generators fail, mothers will watch their babies who depend on ventilators and incubators die. Emergency appendectomies, heart surgeries, and trauma surgeries of all kinds will happen in the dark if they happen at all.
Those of us who want to do something may feel like it’s too late to act, but it’s not too late to rise up for decency, morality, and humanity. It might be too late to impact Congress or the wheels of political machinery, but it’s not too late to do something.
Regardless of your political affiliations or loyalties, I’m encouraging you to get involved right now.
If you are a praying person you can—
- Pray that the President has a change of heart
- Pray that US military leaders hold firm against orders that constitute war crimes
- Pray that other nations unite to exert pressure on the President to change course
- Pray that an 11th-hour deal is struck
- Pray that Congress organizes and moves to stop the President’s plan
- Pray that Iranian leaders accept whatever terms will save their people from annihilation
We can’t wring our hands tomorrow if we don’t fold our hands today.
If you are not a praying person, and definitely if you are, you can—
- Organize or attend sit-ins or other actions in public places and government offices
- Physically prevent actions by the government, such as tree-sitting to stop logging
- Post or carry signs on public sidewalks and parks or in your own yard
- Light candles or hold vigils to express disapproval of these threats
- Wear symbols, display flags, or use art to convey messages of dissent
- Engage your private and social media lists to raise awareness
- Call or email your elected officials and demand that Congress call a special session to stop the President’s actions
May we be people who see the image of God in all humanity, and may we find within ourselves the courage to say “No” when the powers that be are in the wrong.
Oh Lord, hear our prayer.
Rev.Karen Woodworth
Sr. Pastor, upRising Austin
April 19 – “Witness”
WELCOME!
We’re happy you’re visiting upRising today. We welcome all who are seeking community through God’s love and grace. We welcome all because God welcomes all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or relationship status. Our hope is that you feel at home and sense the warmth of this community. One of the things we value most is creating a place where people can find belonging.
Get Involved
If you grew up in the church, you probably remember the Church Ladies. They always made sure the church was fed! At upRising the
Help us maintain our beautiful 10 acres! This group meets on the second Sunday of the month at 12:30 p.m. in Cowan Hall. Lunch
In November of each year, the Staff and Board of Directors of upRising consider all the ministry opportunities we hope to offer and/or take
Music Ministry
Psalm 95 tells us to “sing joyfully to the Lord.” At upRising, we don’t just sing joyfully…we sing and play instruments passionately, artfully, inclusively, diversely, beautifully, with or without accompaniment, in solo and ensembles like the chime choir, and often! Nearly every event is an occasion to raise a chorus of praise to the Gracious Creator that has blessed our church with a wealth of musically talented individuals.