Stand Still

Bec Cranford-Smith works at the Gateway Center in Atlanta. She is the site supervisor of contextual education in partnership with Gateway Center and Candler School of Theology. She is the pastor of Church of the Misfits.

Today is September 11^th, 2015.

It’s been 14 years since we all stood still.

Perhaps we need to stand still every day.

Today we stand still for survivors and victims, and in remembrance, but also for the continued pain and suffering that infects our world each day.

Take a breath and slowly ask yourself the questions below:

What pain moves me?

What injustices call to me?

Where is me heart burdened?

Imagine if we had 1,000 hearts carrying the pain together. Imagine if more people worked towards amnesty for refugees, equity for LGBT persons, ending racism in the church, housing those experiencing homelessness or clean waterways.

Today I stand still for homelessness.

Take a breath and ask yourself these questions:

For what cause or pain will I stand still today?

Will I invite the God of Justice to stand with me?

Would I share my pain if only for a minute?

Stand Still.

Imagine if we stood still once each day to pray for a specific injustice. Imagine if we decided to volunteer one hour of our time a week to a cause. Imagine if we gave 1% of our income to assist an agency, or parachurch organization working for relief.

What an impact we could indeed make.

Would you stand still with me on November 8^th for homelessness?

November is Hunger and Homelessness awareness month.

On Sunday November 8^th, I am asking communities of faith to stand still for homelessness and for the work we are doing locally in Atlanta. Would you consider standing still with me? Share your prayers on November 8^th using the hash tag, #care4gateway

Have your young adults make posters about homelessness and ask your congregation to pray for those impacted by living without shelter. Have your Sunday school class, or Book Club make hygiene kits and donate them to a local shelter. Invite a speaker on November 8^th to share more about the work that is happening in your town surrounding housing and homelessness. There’s many other ways that you can help us spread awareness about homelessness.

What will you do? #Care4Gateway #standstill