Rainbow

Carlos was a high school student from Los Angeles. I was a pastor from rural, southern Illinois. We met when we were both on the National Youth Ministry Organization of the United Methodist Church. (Who but us comes up with names like that?!)

We got to know each other well when I became the Adult Coordinator of the Ethnic Minority Youth Council of the National Youth Ministry Organization of the United Methodist Church. (Again: who but us comes up with names like that?!)

In defense of both groups, “E-Mick” and “KNEE-Mo” is how we pronounced our acronyms EMYC and NYMO. Both of which sound fun. Because they were. (That might be where and when I first learned it’s quite possible to “have fun and get stuff done.”)

Carlos and I served on the Design Team for an international youth event. At the opening ceremony, we were sitting together at the side of the stage with thousands of people in the arena.

The song “We Are a Rainbow” caught our attention. Next thing I new, there was a group of about ten of us dancing together in the aisle to lyrics that included these lines —

There are many colors in a rainbow

all bound together as one

They are the promise of tomorrow

A hope for all the days to come.

We are a rainbow

Together we are a sign

To life for all human kind

We are a rainbow,

It’s time for us to shine

We are a rainbow

— That was longer ago than I’ll admit.

The theme of that song needs to be jump-started.

Today.

If not now, when?

And if not by us, by whom?

Church, are we listening?