December 20, 2006
Dear No2Torture Friends,
The season would not be complete without sharing some words of hope, gratitude and resolution with all of you. In the days following the passage of the Military Commisions Act, I have to admit that I was mightily discouraged. We had worked so hard to preserve habeas corpus, demand accounability, ensure humane treatment – and our efforts seemed to come to naught. I shared my sense of despair with a colleague who had worked on the passage of the Civil Rights Act during the 1960's. He kind of chuckled and said, "Girl, how long have you been working on this thing? One year? Two? Come back and cry on my shoulder when it has been 40 years in the wilderness, then I'll dry your tears." If we are in this for the long haul, we need to be fed by the manna of the encouragement of others. I have been fed by all of you – thank you.
The second words of hope were a gift that came to me when I was working with the lectionary passages for Human Rights Day / Advent 2, writing worship materials for the PC(USA) website:
"By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,These words of Zechariah, quoting the prophet Malachi – words spoken (and spoken again and spoken again) in discouraging times – remind us that the good news breaks suddenly like dawn. It is not our job to make the sun rise; it is our job to keep walking toward the horizon. Thank you for walking with me.
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace."
- Luke 1.78–79
And finally, the most important words of hope have come from all of you: notes and postings to this group; conversations shared at gatherings in Miami, Princeton, Chicago, Birmingham, Beloit and Washington; letters to the editor and to Congress; prayers, poems, songs and conference calls. In all these ways, I believe God has spoken to and through us – thank you.
And so I move to speak words of resolution, a fine tradition for the beginning or the year; and I invite you again to join me.
Let's keep on speaking up wherever we are with whomever God gives us to talk to. Let's talk from the pulpit, at the Rotary Club, to our colleagues, to our children. AND POST WHAT WE ARE DOING, SO WE CAN STEAL EACH OTHER'S GOOD IDEAS.
Come to LA: Jan. 19–20. Details and online registration at www.no2torture.org. Let us equip ourselves for action as we learn from nationally known speakers and strategize with others. The conference is free and travel scholarships are available for young adults.
Post a poster! Yes, the poster has gone to print and will be available early in '07. Stay tuned.
Keep the issue before the Congress. If this is to be a priority with the new Congress, we will need to make it one. Friends, we have a tough sell. This is not a "feel good" issue, neither is it in most folks' immediate self interest. In addition, those for whom we advocate have been labeled "the worst of the worst." Jesus did not become popular by telling people to love their enemies. Consider writing a letter a day as a way to knock at the doors that keep closing in our faces. In truth, though our movement continues to grow in numbers and understanding, very little has changed for those who are detained. In fact, there is evidence that conditions and attitudes are currently becoming more harsh.
Mark your calendar for a gathering of Christian witness and worship in Washington D.C. on March 16–17. Details will be forthcoming.
Pray without ceasing.
Again, thank you for your faithfulness. Surely, the dawn is breaking and God's light will shine on all those who sit in the shadow of death, in that light and until that day...
pax,
Carol Wickersham