A Tale of Two Churches: One Fasting 'Whiteness' for Lent, the Other Making up for an Unintended KKK Connection
Two churches are pursuing racial equality and justice in very different ways. Critics say one of the churches is woke-fasting everything white. The other is taking a proactive approach to make restitution.
The First United Church of Oak Park, Illinois recently announced on its website that it's giving up "whiteness" for Lent and that includes hymns written by white people as well.
"For Lent this year, First United is doing a mix of 'giving something up' and 'taking something on.' In our worship services throughout Lent, we will not be using any music or liturgy written or composed by white people. Our music will be drawn from the African American spirituals tradition, from South African freedom songs, from Native American traditions, and many, many more," a post on the church's website read.
The church goes on to talk about unity while simultaneously prohibiting Christian songs written by white people.
"For Lent, it is our prayer that in our spiritual disciplines we may grow as Christians, united in the body of Christ with people of all ages, nations, races, and origins," the post concluded.
In addition, to the website post, the church also put up a sign on its front lawn proclaiming the church is "Fasting from WHITENESS," according to Turning Point USA. "This Lent we build our worship life around the voices of Black people, indigenous people, and people of color," the sign read.
The days of Lent are marked as a time of faith-filled meditation, fasting, and repentance from Ash Wednesday until Easter. For 40 days and nights (not counting Sundays), some Christians around the world imitate Jesus's fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. Although observing Lent looks different for every believer, fasting is usually a major factor.
In a statement to CBN News, First United Church of Oak Park Lead Pastor Rev. John Edgerton said, "Our Lenten theme has spurred considerable discussion, with some people questioning the message."
"In keeping with the Lenten spiritual discipline of fasting, our intent was to lay aside our usual frames of reference and open ourselves to hearing the Gospel message through the voices of Black People, Indigenous People, and People of Color. Our worship services in Lent have been diverse and beautiful, joyful and Spirit-filled. We pray that God oils the hinges of our hearts' doors so that they might swing open gently to receive the good news of Christ’s resurrection, which we all await at the culmination of Lent," Edgerton continued.
Church That Received a Donation from KKK Is Now Giving Back to Fight Racism
Meanwhile, a congregation from New Orleans, Louisiana, that once received a donation from the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s is giving back to the community by donating to various organizations to advance race equality and fight racism.
Members of the Algiers United Methodist Church, New Orleans, La., pose for a photo while celebrating their congregation's 100th anniversary. (Image credit: Susan Poag. Used with permission)
About two years ago, the Algiers United Methodist Church of New Orleans discovered that the KKK had donated $100 to the congregation in 1922, around the time that their sanctuary was consecrated. In an email to CBN News, Algiers Church Pastor JoAnne Pounds said, "On the day of its original consecration, the KKK presented our congregation with a gift of $100 (with a current value adjusted for inflation of approximately $1675)."
After learning about that unusual gift, the church will donate $1,675 over the next 12 months to groups that help in minority neighborhoods and promote anti-racism endeavors. Pounds explained the donations will be given as four quarterly payments, each to different organizations that strengthen people of color and work to eradicate racism in the greater New Orleans area.
"The first $100 of this gift was given and the rest pledged as a part of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Consecration of our current sanctuary," Pastor Pounds said. "While 1922 was a different time and space, white supremacy was never a part of who God has called us to be."
"The first recipient organization was About F.A.C.E., About Family and Community Engagement, an organization begun here in Algiers that creates pathways for individuals and families to be more productive in their communities. Its founder, Lyndon Jones, is an active member of Algiers UMC," she said.
Algiers Church Pastor JoAnne Pounds presents her congregation's first donation to church member Lyndon Jones, the founder of F.A.C.E. (Image credit: Susan Poag. Used with permission)
"Today we are a diverse congregation that has grown to be a place that members of this community can turn to in many life situations, whether searching for childcare, a fun community event, certain types of medical care, scripture study, free garage sales, food, or a church home. This gift is an outgrowth of who we are now, and who we aspire to be: a congregation known for who we include, for a legacy of inclusion, not one of exclusion," Pounds concluded.
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