After Ferguson decision, black churches rekindle leadership for long-term social change

(The Christian Science Monitor) The hand-folded paper peace cranes that now adorn the altar and pulpit at Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant, Missouri, a mostly-black congregation near Ferguson, have been passed-on symbols of hope, peace, and solidarity for many churches across the country during times of national crisis.

The origami-like paper cranes came to Christ the King earlier this year from Old South Church in Boston, which had displayed them after the Boston Marathon bombing last year. Before that, the traveling peace symbols hung in the sanctuary of Newtown Congregational, following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012.

And as communities across the country begin to prepare for celebrations of universal goodwill and thanksgiving this week, such symbols are taking on added urgency as the nation awaits the decision of a Missouri grand jury, which announced Monday (November 24) that it would not indict a Ferguson police officer in the shooting death of black teen Michael Brown.