Brave Preacher Award

Our colleagues at The Beatitudes Society have announced their Brave Preacher Award. The recognition was established to honor a preacher for a compelling, prophetic sermon in response to the January 8 shootings in Tucson that killed six people and wounded some two dozen more, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

The honor goes to the Rev. Alison Harrington, Pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona. Southside is known as one of Tucson's progressive leaders, and was one of the founders of the Sanctuary Movement in the 1980s. Her sermon impresses because she includes her own confession of having at times added to the vitriolic atmosphere that many believe contributed to the Tucson shootings.

Rev. Harrington's sermon was preached on the Sunday observing the Baptism of Our Lord, which was Jan. 9 this year, the day after the shootings. The full text of her sermon, "Wade in the Water," is on The Beatitudes Society's website. Here is an excerpt:

We confess that this morning we may find it a bit difficult to say boldly, "A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." We say it now with a shaky voice and maybe even a shaky faith, because we are aware that though the darkness did not overcome it, the darkness is still present. Yet in the midst of this darkness we remember our baptism, and we remember that we have been called the light of the world. In this midst of this sorrow we remember our baptism, and we remember that we are called to bind up the broken-hearted. In the midst of this anger, we remember our baptism, and we remember that we are to search for beloved-ness in our enemies. And though our voices shake a bit, still we shall proclaim, "A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."

The Beatitudes Society is one of dozens of progressive Christian groups around the country today working to foster a broader, more diverse understanding of Christianity. Connecting with college-age students and young pastors, the Society develops and sustains a national network of emerging Christian leaders who:

• Advocate for justice, compassion and peace
• Reclaim a Christianity that welcomes all people, especially those at the margins
• Articulate a Christianity that dares to speak and act for our fragile planet and our most vulnerable citizens.

As The Beatitudes Society's director, the Rev. Anne Howard always says, "we're all in this together," so check them out soon.