A piece of artwork hangs over my desk. For more than 20 years of ordained ministry, it has reminded me of connections with others and a touchstone when the path is cloudy. It is an inscribed painting of the “Golden Rule” as translated from many faith traditions and ethical systems of the world. We share this core value: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Despite this shared value and inspiring vision, it is also common that people in every country, culture and faith tradition have discarded this instruction and rationalized harm to people they consider “other.”
We have rationalized harm to people we consider “other.” You and I have.
Religious institutions have been sources of great good and deep harm. As a Christian pastor, I am keenly aware of the church’s responsibilities for the hurt we’ve caused. Through the 15th century theological Doctrine of Discovery, the Roman Catholic Church justified violence against Jews and Muslims in the Inquisition, genocide of Indigenous people of the western hemisphere and enslavement of people from African nations. Reformed churches wrote the justification of South African Apartheid in the late 19th century. Today, Christian Nationalists attempt to justify violence against immigrants, transgender people and anyone who disagrees with them. None of these acts have ever been faithful.
In this country, we have centered a dominant culture which discards this wisdom and prioritizes competition, scarcity, secrecy and either/or thinking. The result is unjust division and deadly disparities based on color, ability, identity, nationality, sexuality and economics, amongst others. When we do not treat others as we want to be treated, we have not chosen the faithful path. Harm to others also harms ourselves.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Each day, we begin again. Our faith communities can choose to follow the path of wisdom in our own traditions. Our institutions can choose to unlearn the oppressive values of the dominant culture and learn to live into transformative values of abundance, transparency, both/and thinking and collaboration/cooperation. We can learn to live in reciprocity. We can learn new ways to grow in mutual respect. We can mature ethically and faithfully. And, I’m excited to say, you have six opportunities to learn and grow this spring here in Springfield.
First Presbyterian has received a Healing Illinois grant to provide three workshops with the leadership of Dr. Kelly Hurst and Veronica Espina from the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN). These workshops are in addition to three others offered by SIAN. Our community has been traumatized by racism and discrimination against Immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people and those with mental health issues. Racism and discrimination in our community was most recently highlighted by the 2024 death of Sonya Massey, who called 911 for help and was murdered by a responding deputy sheriff. Trauma, racism and oppression all have spiritual impacts and need healing resources. Our community will create spaces to process these wounds and share healing efforts with cross-cultural, multi-racial, interfaith neighbors.
First Presbyterian has collaboratively partnered with SIAN for years by sponsoring the Sunday Healthy Food project and by journeying with immigrant neighbors in Springfield. This cooperative relationship has been a source of learning and blessing. We are grateful for the Healing Illinois grant which is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and United Way of Central Illinois.
For almost 200 years, First Pres has been dedicated to the wellbeing of our whole community. We seek to dismantle oppressions and are anchored in the aspirational belief that:
• We all are wonderfully created in the image of God and loved by God unconditionally, celebrating the beauty of our colors, countries and cultures.
• We strive to create a space that is safe and caring, reflecting God’s transformative and healing love.
• We all hunger for forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration with others, the earth and the Divine.
• We are called by God to advocate for social justice through service and community outreach, including civil rights and human rights for all people.
• We are called to show abundant hospitality to our closest neighbors, the local community and the global human family.
By hosting interfaith antiracism workshops, we gather religious and spiritual people with antiracism leaders for the sake of learning shared language, common tools, mutual values through which we can build healing relationships. By partnering with trainers from SIAN and community members and leaders, we bring together people of diverse colors and cultures, different faith traditions, and various approaches to healing to expand and deepen our efforts. Through the Healing Illinois grant, this group of people can develop stronger skills across a wider group of leaders to dismantle systemic oppressions and build the beloved community. We know that none of us are free until all of us are free.
The Rev. Susan Phillips is pastor/head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield.
