Dorothy Day (Nov. 8, 1897-Nov. 29, 1980), founder of the Catholic Worker’s Movement during the Great Depression, was a Christ-follower who could not stand idly by and watch the masses suffer without care or in their loneliness. She was a community organizer driven by the Law of love.
A few years ago a Christian asked me if I was sure I should honor such a woman. She was, after all, branded a “trouble maker” and “communist.” I replied with, “Of course I should.” The holders of political and economic power and keepers of the status quo have always used labels to disempower and discredit prophets, poets, and lovers of the displaced. Labels have always been the tool of the weak-minded hellbent on domesticating truth-tellers, especially those enmeshed in the divine love of the Christ. But as you can see in this picture, sister Dorothy Day was not one to disempower, discredit or domesticate. Her actions were her witness. So today, on the blessed first day of Advent, I pause to remember a sister who took Advent seriously.
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Through Orange Colored Glasses
My dearest mentor, friend, brother, pastor, activist and example. Read it. You won’t be sorry that you did.
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