You are a blessing. These are words my grandmother, her memory faded by Alzheimer’s, never forgot. She would speak these words to each person she met- nurses, family members, strangers- gazing at each new face as if it were lit by some radiant light.

What does it mean to be a people of blessing? Perhaps, as my grandmother knew, it means seeing ourselves as we already are, and nurturing the seeds of goodness in one another. As Unitarian Universalists we do this by covenanting to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings. We do not make exceptions.

Sadly, too often as a society, exceptions are made. This past month I joined with others in Beacon, NY to remember the one year anniversary of the death of Samuel Harrell, an inmate who had been beaten and killed by up to 20 corrections officers in the Fishkill Correctional Facility. Sam was black, mentally ill, and incarcerated; he was seen by too many as less than human.

One year later, these corrections officers are still on the job. Family, friends, and over a hundred supporters came together in rally and vigil to remember Sam, to lament the continued inhumane treatment of prisoners, and to join together in the call for justice and reform. I was proud to represent our faith as a leader in our closing multi-faith service. I invite you to join me in continuing to work for prison reform at Fishkill, and in all our New York State prisons, by calling for accountability, crisis intervention training, and body cameras for corrections officers, and a limit to the use of solitary confinement. For more information, please visit beaconprisonaction.org, or like ‘Beacon Prison Action’ on facebook.

As we explore the theme of Blessing, may we be grounded in our common call to uphold the inherent dignity of all people, to nurture goodness, and to work for justice. I look forward to joining all of you this month on May 8th, to continue exploration of this theme. Our service will be followed by a Soul Matters Circle, from 12:15 to 1:00.

Peace and blessings,

Terri

(UUCRT Lay Commissioned Minister)