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OAK PARK, Ill. (Gray News) – An Illinois church is “fasting whiteness” during the Lenten season.
Senior Pastor John Edgerton of the First United Church of Oak Park wrote in a March newsletter that church worship services during Lent would not use any music or liturgy written or composed by white people. And that First United would do a mix of giving up something and taking something.
According to Edgerton, music during Lent will be drawn from the African-American spiritual tradition, South African freedom songs, Native American traditions and others.
Edgerton also noted that the church would offer a weekly program called “Tell Me the Truth About Racism,” a six-week series with Sunday meetings.
On Wednesday, the church updated its content online, posting a statement about how some are questioning its message:
“Our Lenten theme sparked much discussion, with some people questioning the message. In practice with the spiritual discipline of Lenten fasting, our intention was to set aside our usual frames of reference and open ourselves to hearing the message. of the gospel through the voices of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Our Lenten services have been diverse and beautiful. We pray that God will oil the hinges on the doors of our hearts so they can open gently to receive the good news of Christ’s resurrection, which we all await at the culmination of Lent.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Lent is a 40-day Christian season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Maundy Thursday.
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