The word “abolition” isn’t just for history textbooks. It also describes the way some community organizers and activists want to address justice issues across the country. This Advent, United Church of Christ leaders are calling for renewed engagement in contemporary abolition movements. One way to take part is through a virtual Abolition Advent Calendar: daily scripture, reflections and prayers shared via email and social media.
When we talk about, “abolition” we often mean the movement to end slavery that happened centuries ago. But abolition movements continue today, with movement-makers around the world working to end racism, reduce harm and violence, and move us all toward freedom.
There’s no better time to reflect on abolition than Advent — the season when we are invited to prepare and awaken to the signs of God’s love and justice unfolding in our midst. This Advent, prepare the way by engaging with contemporary abolition movements — dismantling the prison industrial complex, fighting for reproductive justice, learning new ways to address harm and engage conflict, and more.
Click here to subscribe to Join the Movement’s Abolition Advent Calendar to receive daily reflections on Advent scriptures from the Revised Common Lectionary, as well as quotes, prayers, and ways to continue your exploration. Each reflection will also include original artwork by Dr. Yohana Junker, Brazilian-born artist and theologian. The Advent calendar comes from the UCC’s Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice initiative, led by the Rev. Velda Love, minister for racial justice.
It was Rev. Wil Gafney (Episcopal priest, womanist biblical scholar and activist) who said, “We are still trying to do Church in the midst of enslaving paradigms.” We have the opportunity to explore what abolition can mean to us here and now. Join us to discover the abolitionist visions that live in our sacred text and in each of us.