We came from all places and all peoples to gather here today.
Some of us traveled across the ice, others came later in boats,
still others of us waded rivers or arrived in planes.
We found a land blessed.
Blessed with mountains and valleys, rivers and oceans,
fertile earth, wonderful woods, and promising cities.
Here, A dream was born.
A dream of freedom from all oppression,
A dream of hope for our children,
A dream of people in community under god.
We have turned to nations and peoples who gave us birth.
Send us the voiceless.
Send us the fearful.
Send us the oppressed.
And so the dream continues…
And so the dream of America continues….
God, help us to do your work until your dreams come true….
The Rev. Nathan Decker is the pastor of the South Sussex Charge of the Petersburg District of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.