Walk the Walk: Day Three - Ruckersville to Madison, Virginia

Chestnut Hill United Church Community,

Fifteen miles today. No historic sites. Just one foot in front of the other. Talking with fellow pilgrims, most of whom locate themselves in different pockets of the Christian tradition than I do. Marveling at the ways their faith has led them to this moment - putting their bodies on the line as white Christians for Black Lives.*

Serious humidity. Two dozen of us walking down one lane of a hilly four-lane highway. Honks and cheers of encouragement, including someone who anonymously bought the whole crew ice cream. And F-bombs and “White Lives Matter” from passing vehicles. 

Some blisters and cramps. And a recognition that I need to take care of myself - we ALL need to take care of ourselves and one another - if we’re going to be in this for the long haul. And I do want to be in it for the long haul.

In this picture are some of the ways I’m taking care of myself. What are you doing to care for yourself so you can be in it for the long haul?

Peace,

Linda

*I am representing our congregation as well as POWER on a nine-day, 140 mile walk from Charlottesville, Virginia to Washington, DC as part of the national “Walk the Walk” pilgrimage of white faith leaders to RECKON with the anti-Blackness that permeates our past and present as a nation and as faith institutions, RESOLVE to advance racial justice in our faith traditions and nation, and REFRAME the faith narrative in this nation. More here at https://walkthewalk2020.us/