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| Black Lives Matter |
"We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated. An absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation. Fear and anger can make us vindictive and abusive, unjust and unfair, until we all suffer from the absence of mercy and we condemn ourselves as much as we victimize others. The closer we get to mass incarceration and extreme levels of punishment, the more I believe it's necessary to recognize that we all need mercy, we all need justice, and-perhaps-we all need some measure of unmerited grace." - Bryan Stevenson - Founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, author of Just Mercy
The Week
It has been one...one that has filled me with sadness, anger, hope, frustration, moral dilemmas, pride, sorrow, and gratitude.
I am thankful for men like Bryan Stevenson who are kind enough to express the words we need to here. "I’ve come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned."
I, personally, and we as the Winston-Salem Fellows, condemn any act, policy, and ideology that denies the dignity of all humanity as treasured, individual image bearers of God. Each one of us, we believe, displays a unique facet of the beautiful complexity of the One who was, and is and is to come. To diminish, disregard, or kill an image bearer is to deny the expressed will of our Creator. We, as members of our society, must stand for the rights of all, especially those who have suffered because of the color of their skin, and use what power we have for goodness, mercy, grace and love.
We founded this organization because we believed the best way to change the world was through building a community that was established on the fundamental values of loving God and loving others. We believe that love is not an idea but a commitment to live out by what we say and do not only with each other but with all creation.
We have always lived up to this high calling. Despite our intentions and efforts, we are not as color-rich as we could be. Although we have been blessed with excellent church partners, these churches do not represent the beautiful diversity of traditions that make up the body of Christ. Although our goal each year is to have at least 25% of our Fellows be men and women of color, we have not succeeded in this effort. Although our Fellows gain understanding, receive training, get exposure, and actively engage in a variety of ways throughout this city, there is more we could do because there is more that needs to be done.
In the coming months, we will work with our brothers and sisters in this city to reimagine everything we do through a better lens. We will address our shortcomings and humbly seek help so we can fix them. We will use what influence we have to stand up for justice, mercy and the love that comes from God. We will continue to fail, acknowledge our failures, and get up and try again not for our sake but for the sake of the One whom we serve.
Humbly,
The Winston-Salem Fellows
and Founder, Ned Erickson
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| A happy Fellows Director with Class of 2019 Fellow Greg McClinton and his beautiful girlfriend Destini |
This week our Fellows alum gathered for a Common Meal on Monday.
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| Reiley and Haley's house has become one of our Hubs |
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| They are gifted Hostesses |
The other girl's house is also up and running!
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| Breakfast anyone? |
This week, our beloved Fellows Alums Bryan Pardue (along with his fiance!) as well as Christian McConnon came into town.
There was lots of fun times, particularly Thursday night when we were able to gather almost half of their class together on Garrett's back porch.
We also found time to watch church...something that now feels normal...
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| It is good to gather any way we can |
Also coming through town was our international travelers Reese and Julia on their way across country.
They gave David a ring pop. I'll let you guess what the flavor was...
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| Blue flavor |
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| Love these friends! |
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| Excited to have new friends to visit in Oregon |
But this week was marked by citywide protests.
I am so proud of our city, the leaders of this city, the protestors, the leaders of the protestors, law enforcement, really everyone involved for the commitment to peaceful protesting.
This gives me hope.
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| At City Hall |
I am proud of our Fellows that consistently showed up as well.
I know to make the change we need it is important to be united, decisive but we also need endurance and unwavering commitment. This is where I am focused. We need to raise up leaders who are in it for the long haul.
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| Important moments not to be forgotten |
This week we also had our National Fellows Director Summit. It was held virtually this year. Y'all I am so Zoomed out...
Nevertheless, it was good to be together.
RECRUITMENT UPDATE
We are excited about our incoming class. We have one outstanding offer and another candidate we have just interviewed - both males - woo hoo!
We have another interview this week.
If you know of anyone who would benefit from a year like no other, please send them our way ASAP
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| We really like each other |
GIVE
The Fellows Program is built on a shoestring budget, but that still means that we need enough money to buy shoes and strings.
So please, give today, any amount helps.
Winston-Salem Fellows
PO Box 20514
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
or give online
Thank you!
PHOTOS...your favorite part and mine!
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| Praying on Hannah Blaine for her "birthday" |
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| Haley visits her future office at Wake Medical School |
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| Hannah Blaine and I in a cloud |
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| Anna Rose and Topanga and a decapitated horse instructor |
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| If you haven't seen Hef play Catch Phrase you haven't lived |
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| The never ending attempt to get a picture of a young teenager |
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| Night Hike with the Fellows |
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| Getting closer to being normal |
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| Mattie and Greg love each other |
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| It's like photographing lightning |
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| Brianne and Hef play a game of Code Names |
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| Nature's gift |
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| We belong to each other |
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| We are expanding our footprint? |
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| Jacob on a log |
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| This is a special couple here |
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| Reese is pursuing a calling into the Police Force. So proud of him. |
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| David and I knocked out this Crazy Running Workout sheet in May - it nearly knocked us out in the process! |
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| Sophie-Earle in a happy place |
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| the log Jacob sat upon |
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| Fellows and fire always a good combination |
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| I told you - Greg and Mattie love each other |
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| I'm not saying it's impossible |
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| Cooling down after another 15er - I ran one every day this week! |
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| the gang during Celebration |
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| Backyard Smores |
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| Flavor? |
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| Yellow! |
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| Ned and Haley in a cloud |
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| Big spaces, happy places |
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| the gang |
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| four on a couch |
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| fishing for fish |
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| front porching with the host sis |
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| Smores |
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| Every picture is slightly different |
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| the Jacob log |
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| Above Stone Mountain in the rain |
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| Night hike |
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| The Artist |
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| Home church |
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| Wall Sit |
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| yum |
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| sometimes smoke gets in your eyes |
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| fishing for fish |
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| Jacob's log |
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| Strangle the ones you love |
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| Look at those teeth! |
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| Dancing with your dog |
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| Moving on up |
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| SMores are so tasty |
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| One of our amazing meals at our End Well Advance |
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| the approach...these pics are in order, can you tell? |
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| two on a couch |
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| four in a windstorm |
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| Jacob in a creek now |
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| MAy challenge complete |
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| Lia watching David cook a Smore |
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| sometimes everyone needs to look at their phone together |
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| forever friends paddle board in the rain together and capsize |
Thanks all! Keep telling the story and spreading the love
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