Jonathan Daniels Pilgrimage

We're coming up on the year anniversary of the Jonathan Daniels Pilgrimage, held in Hayneville, AL which I try to make every year. I wanted to share my reflections from last year and encourage people to attend this year, too:

Today I got a glimpse into the life of Jonathan Daniels, a white Episcopalian seminarian who was murdered in 1965 in Hayneville, AL. We gathered at the Lowndes County Courthouse lawn, marched to the jail where he was held, and visited the storefront steps where Jonathan was killed.

I dripped sweat in the heat of the day, and a young man actually fainted from dehydration as we stood in front of the former Varner's Grocery Store where Jonathan was murdered. I can only imagine what it was like for the 29 prisoners in that tiny jail, in the August heat. They were arrested and jailed for picketing white-only stores. My skin crawled at the small, rusted, metal cells. I learned that Jonathan was offered release, but refused to leave behind the African American marchers. He was later released with the other protesters, and when he, a white priest, and two other black protesters went to the grocery store down the block, a man shot at 17-year-old Ruby Sales. Jonathan stepped in front of the bullet to protect Ruby and was instantly killed.

Jonathan Daniels's life touches and inspires me. Like me, Jonathan left his home and school for what he saw as a worthwhile cause. He didn’t just come for a couple of days to march with the masses – he left everything behind and melded his life with the people. He lived with an African American family in Selma in the 60's, when he could have been killed by a bigot at any moment. He brought groups of young African Americans to the Episcopal Church services. He marched and protested in even the smallest towns in the area, and gave his life for one African American teenager.
Jonathan's life could be so easily missed. He was just one man in the midst of hundreds of race-related murders in the South. But I feel a connection to him. When God pricked his heart to act, he acted; he sacrificed his plans and changed the course of his life. To me, today is the beginning of my part in making sure his death is not in vain, and seeing that his story lives on to inspire others.

Their Time has Come

Last night I attended the 4^th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in Selma. I was there last year, too, when they honored Annie Cooper, Jean Martin, a young man in high school, and others. I left the event last year, thinking “we need to do this more often.” It was so great to see time set aside to encourage people who are living their lives with integrity. So often it seems like people nitpick and tear each other down, and it was refreshing to see people being built up.

This year actually topped last year’s experience for me. The story that touched me the most this time was the Concordia Men’s Soccer Team. These guys won the USCAA Men's National Championship, and I don’t think very many people in Selma even knew about it! Their perseverance and heart tugged at me – they fought hard during the season to make it to the championship. They practiced wherever they could find field space, and played their games on a baseball field. Some had to choose the team and school over family to keep playing. And then when the championship came, they didn’t even have enough money to take the trip. They could have given up at many points along the way, but instead they rallied friends, family, and the school to support them, they did fund-raisers, and pulled together enough money to travel.

On the way to nationals, their bus got a flat tire, which set them back several hours. Then when they finally ended the 30+ hour bus trip to Vermont, they had to play the championship game in sub-freezing temperatures. Coming from Selma, I know that’s not an easy thing to do! They fought through snow and injuries to win the game in double-overtime, and put an awesome end to their season.

I love seeing people of courage and perseverance, who will do the right thing. This team came together and played with their hearts, no matter what kind of support they had. They didn’t base any of their efforts on recognition or glory. They just wanted to win. I admire and respect them, and am glad they had a night to honor them!