August 16

On this day in 1916, the United States and Canada signed the Migratory Bird Treaty, one of the first such environmental treaties designed to protect birds. Unfortunately, North America has lost 30% of its birds since 1970, suggesting a major ecosystem collapse.

Today marks the birthday, in 1928, of Wyatt Tee Walker, civil rights leader, pastor, and theologian who was also executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was Dr. King’s Chief of Staff, and worked as both tactician and theologian. In the 1970’s, he took to preaching in the streets to address drug addiction, and was so successful at it that gangsters threatened his life. In addition to his community organizing, he was a scholar of Black worship and sacred music. 

Today marks the death, in 2005, of “Brother Roger” Schutz, who founded the Taize community. Taize was and is a unique ecumenical monastic community in the post-Christian landscape of Europe, and its music and practices have percolated through different Christian communities. Though he was of Protestant background, he loved Roman Catholic traditions and brought both streams together at Taize. The community he founded connected generations of young people to the Christian faith. 

Reflection: 

Wyatt Tee Walker said,

Brother Roger wrote: 

Prayer: This is a prayer attributed to Brother Roger: 

Jesus Christ, Love of all loving, you were always in me and I did not know it.  You were there, and I kept on forgetting you.  You were in my heart of hearts and I was looking elsewhere.  Even when I remained far from you, you kept on waiting for me.  And the day is coming when I can tell you:  Risen Christ, you are my life:  I belong to Christ, I am Christ’s.