Blessed with Memory

In February of this year, at the beginning of the season of Lent, we began a series of conversations about the monuments at Calvary known as “The Outdoor Abbey of the South.” This series was meant to serve as as a precursor to thinking about how we might address them in the context of the 21st Century. We had two sessions but the conversation was cut short by the COVID epidemic. In the wake of George Floys's death, we have re-started those conversations over Zoom, beginning with a dialogue with journalist Jon Elliston about the research which led to his article in the Mountain Xpress. .

The presence of these monuments presents a challenge to Calvary, a church that is charged with carrying out Christ's mission of justice and reconciliation. We also have to acknowledge that the legacy of slavery goes much deeper in our society and culture than these stones. 

Myles Horton, founder of the Highlander Folk School where Rosa Parks and Dr. King trained in nonviolent resistance, writes in his autobiography about the importance of not moving too quickly from a moment of discomfort to a solution when that solution may calm our nerves without addressing the root causes. Following this council at Calvary means taking the time to educate ourselves about the deeper history that these monuments represent before we try to come to terms with what to do with them. Calvary's history as a center of public life in the community long predates the establishment of the Town of Fletcher, and we owe it to the community as well as ourselves to engage in this conversation.

The next session is planed for July 1 at 7:00, when our guest will be Dr. Woody Register, Professor of History at the University of the South and Director of the Roberson Project in Race and Reconciliation at Sewanee. We hope to hold future sessions ever other Wednesday.