As part of its Lenten celebration, one suburban Chicago church has told its congregation that It will be embracing other cultures and “fasting from whiteness” until Easter Sunday.
“In our worship services throughout Lent, we will not be using any music or liturgy written or composed by white people,” reads the First United Church of Oak Park’s website. “Our music will be drawn from the African American spirituals tradition, from South African freedom songs, from Native American traditions, and many, many more.”
“For Lent, it is our prayer that in our spiritual disciplines we may grow as Christians, united in the body of Christ with people of all ages, nations, races, and origins,” the site’s message continues.
The church’s head pastor, John Edgerton, is a white male.
According to the church’s website, its congregation practices “inclusion” by “valuing people of all races, ethnicities, cultural identities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities in every aspect of our congregational life.”
First United Church’s members were encouraged to view the special Lent services on its YouTube channel.
In a video posted by the church, the Rev. Lydia Mulkey, identified as the associate pastor of education, explained the fast, the Washington Times reported, saying, "In this fast from whiteness, of course, I cannot change the color of my skin or the way that allows me to move through the world but I can change what I listen to, whose voice I prioritize.
“And so that is kind of the place for our worship services, through Lent, that we would fast for a time from prioritizing white voices,” she added.
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