In which I mention an evangelical preacher from the 19th century (pictured here), modern day slavery, my father’s obsession with Advent tea, homeless encampments and where we can actually find peace right now. The sermon was based on the lectionary passage of Mark 1:1-8. Mark 1:1-8 1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,Continue reading ““An Unexpected Peace,” a sermon for Peace Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2017″
Category Archives: peace
Could your church help your community find hope in the wake of the election?
Last weekend, people started reaching out to me because they were afraid, and they didn’t want to stay that way. They didn’t want to rage or burn things down; they wanted to find a way to contribute to their community, to help others overcome fear. So with the help of a PHENOMENALLY gifted intern, theContinue reading “Could your church help your community find hope in the wake of the election?”
Nonviolence, privilege and grief. Thoughts on South Carolina and a child I love.
This morning I sat down to write a letter to a beloved recent teen in my life, a newly minted thirteen-year-old. We go to protests a lot, and museums where we learn about farm workers and the Black Panthers and the American Indian Movement. This beloved recent teen has been to hell and back, andContinue reading “Nonviolence, privilege and grief. Thoughts on South Carolina and a child I love.”
Black lives, windows, and good governance
There is a debate over the first amendment and preservation of property in Oakland right now, and the camps are fairly clear: “I’m tired of seeing my city trashed.” “Broken windows do not matter more than broken Black bodies.” The mayor of Oakland recently enforced a sundown restriction on protests (possibly although not necessarily influencedContinue reading “Black lives, windows, and good governance”
Upon receiving the Christian Church of Northern CA-NV’s annual MLK Award
This award was given to me on January 11, 2015 at Lafayette Christian Church during the CCNC-N’s annual MLK service. Following are my remarks upon receiving the award. I find myself thinking a lot about the previous recipients of this award, because they have all deeply shaped me. I’m in the land of Pacific SchoolContinue reading “Upon receiving the Christian Church of Northern CA-NV’s annual MLK Award”
Christmas values – Day 8: Community
Do you see it? Do you see who shows up for the very first Christmas? We’re so used to the image that we don’t even notice what’s crazy subersive about the melange of folks kicking it at the manger, but this is as close to Burning Man as 1st century Judea would have gotten (exceptContinue reading “Christmas values – Day 8: Community”
The Ballad of Harry Moore
Preached at First Congregational Church of Oakland, December 14, 2014.I’ve had the story of one of our forebears on my heart recently on this Black Lives Matter Sunday. So while I was supposed to preach “People Get Ready,” my sermon this morning is actually “The Ballad of Harry Moore,” as written by Langston Hughes andContinue reading “The Ballad of Harry Moore”
Things said and left unsaid at #MillionsMarchOAK
Thousands gathered in Oakland yesterday, joining with marchers in San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC. I marched with them, as part of the API solidarity contingent. And I found myself reflecting on what my solidarity looks like with this movement. What I did say: Black Lives Matter. Sometimes I want to clarify, “Black livesContinue reading “Things said and left unsaid at #MillionsMarchOAK”
This bridge called my back in this new civil rights movement moment
Navigating “not Black or White” and “Nonviolent but not non-violent” as an ally and activist I suspect every woman of color in America has at multiple points felt that Donna Kate Rushin wrote the Bridge poem for her. As I wonder whether the bonds of friendship with my radical anarchist friends of color will hold andContinue reading “This bridge called my back in this new civil rights movement moment”
“Things taken: Finding Healing on foreign soil this Thanksgiving”
18th annual Berkeley Multifaith Thanksgiving Service Northbrae Community Church, host Message by Sandhya Jha, Director of the Oakland Peace Center and Director of Interfaith Programs at East Bay Housing Organizations It is a real honor to be here this evening. I have worked with a number of you on affordable housing issues in Berkeley,Continue reading ““Things taken: Finding Healing on foreign soil this Thanksgiving””
Sandhya Rani Jha 