May 9, 2025
I have heard from some of you have already noticed, and I imagine others will soon: the Black Lives Matter sign that has stood on Saint Anne’s front lawn for over four years was taken down this week. I want to be clear that this is not a change in our values or convictions. The sign was removed simply because it had become too weathered to remain standing safely, and if we hadn’t taken it down it would have fallen on its own.
Denny Thompson, who originally made the sign for Saint Anne’s, shared this update:
The plywood was really warped, some rot on the 2x4s, and the paint was flaking off in long strips. I was embarrassed to have it out there in that condition. It needs more than just a coat of paint. I’ll gladly make another if that’s what the community wants.
This sign has meant a great deal to many of us. For me, it’s always been a clear and faithful expression of what we mean when we say, “Love Boldly.” If that’s truly part of who we are — and I believe it is — then we’re called to live it out visibly, publicly, and with conviction.
The Wardens and the Gardens and Grounds Team are already in conversation about what’s next, and we'll discuss at our next Vestry meeting as well. Whether it’s a new BLM sign, a sign that broadens the message, a mural, or something else, this message will return, as a visible and faithful witness to our call. Our dedication to racial justice and to the sacred dignity of every human being, and to proclaiming that publicly, remains as strong as ever.
This moment also invites a larger question for all of us: How do we make it clear to the world outside Saint Anne's walls just who we are as followers of Jesus? How do we communicate, in just a second, to and with people speeding past Saint Anne’s at 60 miles per hour? More broadly, what does it look like at all to proclaim the Gospel with boldness and clarity in this time? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
My prayer for you, as you read this, is that you feel both the weight and the promise of these questions — and that you feel yourself drawn deeper into the work of love, justice, and public witness that Jesus calls us to share. (Emphasis on public and share! It's not easy, but was never meant to be.)