Oak Park church ‘fasting from whiteness’ for Lent despite vocal backlash

“For us, Lent is all about loving extra individuals, loving extra of the ways in which Christian music blesses our life, and loving extra of our neighbors,” stated Rev. John Edgerton.

Edgerton stated selling extra love and celebrating variations was the inspiration behind a headline of an indication put up on its entrance garden: “Fasting from Whiteness.”

“We at First United love the variety of this group in Oak Park, we love the racial and financial range, the bringing collectively people who find themselves not the identical, and that’s what America is meant to be about,” he stated.

The lead pastor stated the which means behind the daring headline was impressed by love for its numerous group. The sacrifice was giving up a standard observance of Lent to completely showcase the voices and music of Black, indigenous and different individuals of coloration.

The small church’s choice has since elevated them from a neighborhood to world stage.

“We, as a neighborhood church, might by no means have dreamed that our proclamation of the gospel would attain a nationwide viewers, a global viewers,” Rev. Edgerton stated. “We’re overjoyed that there are such a lot of Christians who’re becoming a member of conversations concerning the which means of Lent.”

Edgerton stated Lenten season additionally means taking up one thing, however on this case that included taking up backlash. In an announcement, the church stated it obtained “white supremacist backlash,” together with greater than 1,000 hateful messages.

However the reverend did not select to deal with that, however as an alternative the enjoyment that has come because of this.

“This has been a season of the very best church that I can keep in mind. Our music has been lovely. The prayers have been splendidly crafted and the spirit within the place has been wonderful,” he stated. “It has been difficult in all the very best methods, and comforting in all of the methods we want popping out of this pandemic.”