The plan was that this outdoor service in June would be our annual Hawaiian shirt Sunday. One of my favorite services of the year!! I love all the color as I scan the congregation. I love the creativity. I love when families all dress up together, or when someone passes out leis. And I truly, truly love passing out pineapples. It is a highlight for me, and has been a moment of fun in a year of solemnity and dignified worship.
This year we will not be having a Hawaiian shirt Sunday. It was discussed at the Executive Committee meeting that the symbol has been coopted by White Supremacist groups. And we want to be crystal clear that we have nothing to do with that. Crystal clear that we do not stand with or for racism.
Some will say that is an extreme response, that no one will notice, especially since we have been doing this for years. Some will say that we are giving those groups too much power by changing anything. And I understand that.
Years ago, at my previous parish, I wrote a weekly parish email. I was trying to make a point about something and wrote, “Boy you would not believe…”. One of my members who almost never came to church sent me a scathing reply, saying the origin of Boy was what male slaves were called to demean and dehumanize them, and I had to be more careful and thoughtful with my language.
At first, I didn’t pay much attention. Because she didn’t participate much I didn’t take her seriously, didn’t think she had a right to criticize. But after some prayer and humility, I realized she was absolutely right. If I hurt even one person by being careless about my language, that was too many. And it helped me to be careful about how I craft a message, to think about from more than just my own perspective.
So we will not be wearing Hawaiian shirts on the 21st. Because we only want to be a part of healing and welcome and love. And every precaution is worth not hurting one more person.