Today is fifty years since African Americans first marched
across the Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama to register to vote for the first time. As they approached the bridge, the marchers were met by brutal vicious attacks by the
Selma police and others. Martin Luther
King turned the crowd around and decided they would try another day. He then sent out a call to caring people,
especially ministers from around the country , to join the group in a second
attempt to register to vote. Gordon
Cosby, minister of Church of the Saviour in Washington, DC responded. He got on a plane and left immediately.
On March 7 the group set out again to vote, this time
accompanied by hundreds of people from across the US. They were trained in peaceful demonstrating and
non-violent tactics by a teen age boy.
He said, “if you have any weapons on you, empty them out right now. I aint gonna die for no switchblade.”
As the marchers approached the Pettus Bridge, they again met
police and state troopers. This time
there were no attacks, violence, or brutality.
Martin Luther King fell to his knees and the group began to pray, Then they turned around and went back to
their homes. Soon after, the Voting Rights
Act was passed in Congress, opening the door for all Americans to exercise
their right to vote.
As Gordon Cosby returned to DC he flew over a large facility
called Junior Village, housing over 900 children who were not able to be with
their families. He knew then that this
was our Selma – to find homes for all of those children and close Junior
Village.
Soon the Church of the Saviour began a new mission, For
Love of Children to find homes
and loving care for all of the children.
We gathered on Saturday mornings for prayer, singing, and
inspiration. Then we spread out across
the city, knocking on homes and asking people if they would like to have a
foster child. Who knows what they
thought about early morning visitors, but amazingly many said Yes
they had love to share with a child in need. My family was part of that mission.
FOR LOVE OF CHILDREN was one of the early ministries of the
Church of the Saviour, leading to the founding of additional missions,
including Jubilee Housing in 1973 and Jubilee Jobs in 1981.
Junior Village was closed in 1973. We have crossed many bridges for civil rights
since then, but there are many more still to cross. Jubilee Jobs is especially aware of the
struggles of the young black men today, ages 16-24, desperately in need of work
and direction. Often arrest and prison
have set their course for life. Together
we will march for meaningful work for all through compassionate job placement
and community support.
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