Marley Moynahan of the Student/Farmworker Alliance, Gerardo Reyes Chavez and Benito Garcia of the CIW and the Rev. Michael Livingston of the National Council of Churches light the candle.
A Glimpse of Morning Prayer
I stand among one hundred and fifty people gathered in an enormous circle; dewy grass anointing our feet, the glow of the sun stretching across the sky, promising relief from the chill of the early morning. Publix headquarters blessed first by indigenous prayer and the burning of sage. Ancient tradition carried forward, imploring the four directions, establishing this terrain as holy ground.
The Rev. Jean Cooley of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lakeland holds a white armband aloft and begins to pray, her voice and hands blessing these signs worn by the fasters this week.
As guitar music plays and a lone voice sings softly “seek ye first the kingdom of God…”, as I bear the square basket filled with armbands, offering them, watching hands pluck them from the pile, faces alert and determined, look at one another; new kin borne through choice and sacrifice.
A white pillar candle encased in a glass cover, sent by a pastor who just moved from Naples, Florida, to Michigan sits in the center of our circle. A grey heron flops its wings heavily nearby. Cars of Publix employees begin to arrive, to drive past the prayer meeting and into the headquarters. I walk toward the candle and offer words on the significance of lighting this candle of faith and hope that will stay with us through the entire week.
Gerardo and Benito from the CIW, Marley Moynahan from Georgetown University, and the Rev. Michael Livingston of the National Council of Churches—representing the student, worker, and faith communities that make up the Campaign for Fair Food—join hands in lighting the flame that will remain lit throughout the six-day fast. The wind blows gently, the candle catches the dancing flame. Together they place it within the lantern so it may be carried with us through the week as a sign and strength.
We carry this light of hope before us, beside us, and within us.
The Rev. Robert Moses from St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lakeland offers prayers. During the time of intercessions there is silence as we hear the cars drive by on Publix Corporate Boulevard, a whooshing accompaniment as we take inventory and offer our longings and hopes to God.
With his hands raised, Rev. Moses blesses us. All disperse quietly to pick up signs for the solemn witness at the gate of Publix main entrance. Employees and executives drive by—some avert their eyes quickly, but many look—and see the farmworkers who harvest the tomatoes and read “You are human, so am I.”
Mid-day
It is hot. Searing hot. There isn’t quite enough shade for all the fasters so another tent is being erected. Even necessary tasks turn into opportunities for community. Laughter, string, where to stake? Which way will the wind blow? A good question in more ways than one…
Late afternoon
Susan Sampson from Seffner Presbyterian in Seffner, 20 minutes from Lakeland, is fasting and Sue Carter from Columbus, Ohio’s Overbrook Presbyterian Church, was willing to fast or to do what was most needful. Sue was asked by CIW if she could instead play a necessary role in supporting fasters. One faster, one supporter, both offering themselves to do what is most needful, most helpful. No heroics here, just strong, Presbyterian women, witnesses—speaking of life, of what this commitment means, of their own decisions, of fasting and supporting, of their walk with the CIW, their hopes… we know God is cooking up something good here… To be continued…
"I am a human, too." Fasters and allies send a strong message to Publix executives leaving the building at 5pm.
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