This Weekly Reflection is written by the Rev. Stephen Reedy. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Cornelius Corps and is a gifted writer, theologian, and advocate for racial justice.
Polaris has been a beacon for navigation for travelers since ancient times. Otherwise known as the North Star, it appears from Northern latitudes perspective to sit directly above True North. True North is the point at the top of the earth’s rotational axis where all the lines of longitude converge. While True North is fixed and dependable, the magnetic north used by the compass is less dependable, as the compass follows the chaotic shifting iron-rich flows of magma of the earth’s core.
On December 3, 1847, the great Abolitionist Frederick Douglass published the first edition of The North Star. It was published in Rochester, New York, a hotbed of Abolitionism and Women’s rights, interlocking social movements that had their roots in a sweeping religious revival that called and aligned people to work of justice.
Where the magnetism of economic interests and shifting popular opinions of those times allowed for and justified slavery and racism, The North Star told the truth. Despite their relatively small numbers, Douglass and his fellow Abolitionists were successful in their work to shift the direction of the nation in the direction of True North on the issue of slavery. But the work in overcoming the ongoing racism and the injustice it maintains and perpetuates remains.
Likewise, Cornelius Corps continues to tell the truth as it enlists people from the faith community and beyond in the work of racial justice. This year, Cornelius Corps has conducted an array of programs that link the history of the Civil Rights movement and its setting to today’s context. The series of online programs included the “Color of Compromise,” “Journey to Justice, and “The Legacy of 1964 for 2024.” Each drew dozens of participants from a broad cross section of leaders in faith communities who will carry the work of racial justice into their own spheres. Additionally, Executive Director Dr. Jim Melson has continued to build relationships with other leaders and organizations committed to this work.
In the coming new year, Cornelius Corps is committed to continuing the work and ministry of racial justice in an era where justice is being magnetized away from true North. In 2025, Cornelius Corps will offer new and exciting programs, including “The Legacy of 1965 for 2025” which will connect events from 1965 to God’s ogoing call to racial justice today.
The motto of Frederick Douglass’ paper The North Star remains relevant: “Right is of no sex—Truth is of no color—God is the Father of us all, and we are brethren”. Likewise, the vision/mission statement of Cornelius Corps applies the truth contained in the scriptures and in this motto: “Building transforming relationships through a network (Corps) of churches and individuals committed to a shared journey of racial justice/reconciliation and spiritual formation.”
Thank you for joining us in this great work of bringing our nation towards the true North of racial justice.
A statue of Frederick Douglass in Rochester, NY where The North Star was published.