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Churches Open Up Again in San Francisco

Published

4 years ago

October 8, 2020

Kiki

Fr. Eugene courtesy Church of the Epiphany website.

On Sept.29 Mayor London Breed announced that San Francisco churches could gather in person in accordance with the state health regulations.

Allowing no more than 25% of the church population or 100 people per gathering, attendees must wear masks, bring their own hand sanitizers, and maintain 6-foot social distancing unless in the same family group was some of the rules to be enforced along with keeping church windows and doors open for circulation.

Also, offerings may be collected in baskets only. Only one musician can be present. Communion can be taken sans mask and then mask-wearing resumes. No events before or after services can be held.

The Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone, archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco said “I want to thank Mayor Breed for recognizing that faith is essential. As well, I want to thank the thousands of San Francisco Catholics and others who joined the processions, the more than 35,000 who signed the petition . . . came to St. Mary’s Cathedral’s outdoor plaza in witness to our faith, wrote letters to the editor or op-eds. And who generally spoke up with one united voice under the barrier. We are essential! Free the Mass!”

Father Eugene Tungol of the Church of the Epiphany courtesy of the Church of Epiphany Church website.

Father Eugene Tungol of the Church of the Epiphany, a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of San Francisco at 827 Vienna St., held his usual seven services on Sunday but with only 300 attendees in accordance with health and safety guidelines instead of the pre-COVID-19 2,000 parishioners.

Temperatures were taken, social-distancing enforced, limits of people in pews, seating in every other pew, masks required, ingress and egress from separate doors, cleaning in between masses, hand sanitation, and all COVD-19 safety protocols were in place.

Archbishop Cordileone believes “the state of California’s limit of no more than 100 people inside of a house or worship regardless of the size of the building is still unjust. We want and we intend to worship God safely with masks, social distancing, sanitation, ventilation, and other such safety protocols. But we will not accept believers being treated more severely than other, comparable secular activities.”

The Archbishop continued: “[t]his movement is not over. Our work and victories have just begun. Thank you San Francisco people of faith and the thousands of others across the nation who are joining us at benedicinstitute.org/liftunfairrestrictions.”

Glide Memorial Church did not have in-person services. Rev. Marvin K. White live-streamed his portion and was the only one present in person. Everyone else was remote or previously recorded.

White echoed the sentiments of many churches: “ [y]ou are allowed 25% capacity up to 100 people. The science is saying don’t rush. Do you have a health and safety plan in place? Are you prepared to do temperature checks at the door? Can your congregation and visitors safely physically distance? How are you addressing air quality, ventilation, and HVAC issues?

“How are you rethinking your rituals? There is no singing. There is no singing along from the congregation. There’s to be no woodwinds or brass instruments in the music. Seems like a lot of challenges, right?” White said. “We are so clear that the church is made for this moment. What a time to be a Black, queer, theater and tech geek!”

Kiki

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org