November 2014 Montly Letter

Thank you for your prayers about the ORM Chapter Leaders’ Conference in Cincinnati on October 3-5. It was a great success.Following the conference I was asked to speak to a group of police chiefs in Florissant, Missouri in the aftermath of the Ferguson crisis. Below is a summary by St. Louis Pastor Karl Reinagel.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you so much for your prayers for the meeting that took place on October 6 at the Florissant Police Department. There were 15 in attendance from Florissant, Hazelwood, St. Ann, Berkeley, Olivette, Normandy and Flo Valley Community College (including at least three police chiefs and Florissant’s Municipal Judget) who came to to hear Curtis May discuss the types of racism, the cycle of oppression, and what we can do to break it. He also shared his own experiences, both as a citizen being confronted by police officers, and as ORM director helping the Pasadena Police Department improve their racial sensitivity and community relations. Those in attendance were very receptive to the message and asked pertinent questions about how to help strengthen relations with the communities they serve.

Afterwards many of them stayed to chat with Curtis and the other ORM members present (Jannice May, Sherman Downs, Tommie Clay, Carla and me).  We each had interesting conversations that addressed specific questions and concerns various officers had—many of which they would not have felt comfortable sharing with the audience with other departments present.  I look forward to what Curtis will have to share based on his experience and conversations, but here are a few brief takeaways from Carla and me:

• We expressed appreciation for Curtis coming and sharing some helpful ways to address the issue of race relations and how to bridge the divide.
• The chief of the Florissant Valley City College force actually came on her own time since her bosses said it would be a violation of the separation of church and state to attend in uniform.  She sat in the front row.
• Florissant Police Chief Tim Lowery thanked us for bringing Curtis (NCC (New Creation In Christ Congregation) is covering expenses since the ORM budget is already stretched) and asked about where the church was located.  When I told him we were looking for a new meeting location he offered to check with some contacts about possibilities in and around Florissant.  He sees the value of a congregation that models racial harmony being active in the community, so we will see what God might do there.
• Chief Lowery sees the need for a community dialogue on racial issues, but feels it ought to come from a broader base than just the police.  I’m sure he’ll be talking to the mayor and others about this.
• We also got some pointers from another officer on how to begin a Neighborhood Watch program near the Garden.  Curtis had shared how gang members felt they needed to be part of a gang to feel protected, and we see how vibrant neighborhood watch programs could give security these young people are looking for.
• They are eager to attend some of our Garden activities with the children to build relationships.
• Several expressed a desire to find ways to become positively engaged in our schools, both during the meeting and in discussions afterwards.  For example, several of them showed an interest in participating at a school event hosting pastors to increase church involvement in the Ferguson-Florissant District, so we’ll be checking into that possibility.

I am sure there is more Curtis and Carla will add from their conversations.  Kathy, who coordinated the meeting, is looking forward to talking to Carla soon so it will be interesting to see what kind of thoughts and plans are produced from the seeds Curtis planted this morning.  He issued some challenges that they seemed receptive to.  Keep praying for the Lord to bring healing and reconciliation that is long overdue.  In many ways, if we are to have the conversations we must have to achieve it there are painful steps that must be taken that will require vision and courage.  I believe the men and women in the room this morning want to work toward that vision with the right encouragement and equipping.  The task is daunting with opposition from within and without, so keep them in your prayers.

Thank you all for your prayers for the meeting this morning.  It was a solid start in the right direction.

Grace and peace!

Karl Reinagel