Honoring Haiti; Honoring the Stories of Others; Acts 15:1-18

 

Rev. George Miller

May 18, 2025

Acts 15: 1-18

 

For me, today is special.  It’s Haitian Flag Day, an event that’s historic and colorful.

 

Today is special because of Carnide, the pianist at the last church I served, who is a proud child of Haiti.

 

Because of the relationship Carnide has with Emmanuel UCC, we knew how important  Haitian Flag Day is to her identity. 

 

Each year we’d dress in red and blue, hear songs in French, and tell the story. 

 

It’s a story filled with many heroes.  One is Suzanne Belair.

 

At age 15, she made the choice to fight beside her husband for Haiti’s Independence.  Eventually she became Lieutenant.

 

One day, they were caught; he was shot in front of enslaved individuals made to watch so they would not get any ideas.

 

Because she was a woman, Suzanne was seen unworthy of execution by gunfire, so they decapitated her.

 

She refused to wear a blindfold.

 

Infront of that crowd of enslaved sisters and brothers, her last words were-

“Liberty!  No to slavery!”

 

At 21 Suzanne Belair died.  At 21, she was willing to die than to see her people oppressed.

 

Though her death was meant to scare others, this brave woman who fought for 6 years said “Long live freedom!  No to slavery!”

 

She became known as the Tigress of Haiti, and joins the ranks of others who were brave like Shiphrah and Puah, Mary, Martha, and Joanna.

 

She joins other brave folk who show us how to live with integrity, maintain dignity, stand for what’s right even when surrounded by wrong.

 

On May 18, 1803, a woman named Catherine Flon pieced together a red and blue flag.

 

The people marched with that flag, saying “In Unity We Find Strength.”

 

Haiti became the first nation in which enslaved women, children, and men, fought for, and won their freedom.

 

That is one reason today is so special.  Another is because this day prompted Emmanuel UCC to honor other days that mattered to members.

 

Cuban Independence for Ari, our Director of Music.  Filipino Day in honor of Fe who often fed us with the tastiest food.

 

Eventually we celebrated Pride, inviting all the city.

 

Being in relationship with others, acknowledging and respecting folks’ stories and heritage, is so easy to do.

 

An act of social justice that involves intimate, relational acts of worship and praise,

 

always focused on God, on Christ, and always aware of the Holy Spirit.

 

See, if a church and people are comfortable in their own ancestry and identity, it becomes natural to honor.

 

Mothers and Fathers, Peace Makers and Presidents, Graduates and Veterans, Germans and Haitians, the 4^th of July and the LGBT.

 

Celebrating one does not mean excluding others or saying one group is superior.

We see this in today’s story.

 

Peter, James, Nicolaus are in Jerusalem, focused on the ministry that Christ embodied.

 

They’re caring for widows, serving Communion, telling the story of Jesus, making sure that God’s will is being done here on Earth.

 

Paul and Barnabas are North, 120 miles away, sharing the Gospel, growing the church, reaching out to those who are hungry to learn about God.

 

Things are popping!  Love is growing, from Emmaus to Tyre, Samaria to Sidon.  They are feeding the birds. 

 

But (because there is always a but), a small fraction of the faith community aren’t happy. 

 

Things are not being done the way they want it to.  The ways of the ancestors are not being honored.

 

And you know what?  THAT is ok.  They have every right to be concerned. 

 

They have every right to say- “Tradition is vital.”  After all, it is tradition that kept them alive during the Exile. 

 

It is tradition that kept them united when the Temple was gone. 

 

It is tradition that their families followed for over 20 generations.

 

So what happens?  The church calls Paul and Barnabas back to Jerusalem, a 7-day journey.

 

The people discuss; communicate.  They share all sides of the issue.

 

Paul and Barnabas share what they’ve seen and done, and the lives transformed.

 

James, the brother of Jesus, points to Simeon, who is likely a Black Man from Africa.  He says-

 

“Simeon told us how God has smiled about the Gentiles, fulfilling the prophet’s words of return, rebuilding, and all people.”

 

After everyone has spoken, is heard, the church leaders come together to create a new way to welcome folk into the family of God.

 

Together, they create a way that has both open arms and well-defined boundaries.

 

This allows space so that everyone can experience the fullness of life.

 

Today’s story is not about a war of words, or relationships torn asunder- it is about building bridges, growing, and transforming lives.

 

Friends- it is good to be here today (and on-line).  To tell stories about my former home in Florida.

 

To tell a story that took place in Haiti 223 years ago.

 

To tell a story that took place 2000 years ago, across the ocean, in a land where palm branches and olives grow.

 

Our stories shapes our lives.  The stories of others enhance our lives. 

 

The stories of God transforms our lives.

 

Let us share.  Let us hear.

Let us welcome others.   

 

Let us be comfortable enough in our own stories that we can welcome the stories of others. 

 

May we all continue to be transformed together. 

 

Amen.