Christians United: A Spoken Word Poem

Rev. Edwin Johnson, Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission, wrote this spoken word poem as part of his sermon at the 2023 prayer service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme of the prayer service was “Do Good, Seek Justice” (Is. 1:17) and we also heard stories testifying to how Christian unity can help overcome injustice from Rev. Jua Robinson (Boston Collaborative) and Savina Martin (MA Poor People’s Campaign). Watch the video and read his poem to hear Rev. Edwin describe the complexities involved in unity and justice work.

When I hear talk of Christians United,

Every part of my being starts to get excited.

With visions of loving communities ignited,

With the passion for justice needed at this time.

I imagine thousands no millions of people,

So diverse in language they gotta use deepl,

Pouring out from store fronts and shoutin’ from every steeple,

Ready to take our world’s course and turn it on a dime.

And then in the midst of that vision caressin’

A part of me shifts and I start stressin’

That instead of sharing and multiplying the blessin’

We water things down just to get along.

Though tied to a source more vast than oceans,

we instead full obliged go through the motions.

Treating our strategies like magic potions,

So even as we do right it comes out wrong.

If our work is to have it’s given latitude,

it will require a change in collective attitude.

One steeped in love, abundance and gratitude,

that will grant us the power of our ultimate source.

For then we will find the sustainability,

that far out-lasts naked culpability.

Or any particular approach’s capability,

to do with power what can’t be done with force.

So this mi gente is the unity I seek,

one that will truly bless and lift up the meek.

One that will grant us throughout the week,

a resolve befitting of our sacred meal.

So that way the picture of Christian unity,

will be one we can celebrate with impunity.

Will overcome the system’s inherent immunity,

to bring closer a Kingdom that everyone can feel

About Rev. Edwin Johnson:

Edwin is a self-described smiling-dancing-Jesus freak. The product of two proud Episcopalians/Anglicans from Montserrat and Costa Rica; Edwin has had a deep appreciation of the broad flavor and diversity of our church, along with the great opportunities that exist to create Beloved Community. He is currently the Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission. Prior to joining the team at Episcopal City Mission he served as the Rector at St. Mary’s Church in Dorchester, a diverse, multilingual congregation committed not only to meeting and caring for Lazarus at the gate but also organizing around why there is such poverty and suffering in the first place. After over twelve years of Parish ministry, Edwin is excited to manifest his priesthood more broadly through the work of social justice while continuing his general church leadership around Beloved Community. While confronting the injustice and racism in our world is hard, Edwin has a lot of fun doing so alongside the members of his community and his family including his partner Susan and their sons Francisco and Santiago.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Give to Further Christian Unity