These same questions frame our American Anglican Council resources that address clergy care and wellness, clergy leadership, and church revitalization in North America. Not much changed since I wrote these words exactly a year ago.

Ladies and gentlemen,

You have to agree that the phrase "the defendant's last word" sounds very somber as if after I speak they'll sew my mouth shut and forbid me from ever speaking again.

Everyone understands that this is precisely the point. I am being isolated from society and imprisoned because they want me to remain silent, as our parliament is no longer a place for discussion and Russia must now silently agree with any measures its government takes.

What would happen, in reality, would be poor black people paying money to rich black people unless the reparations were means tested. Even then, what are the qualifying criteria for receiving reparations? How black does one have to be? Should we prove our lineage? I'm mixed-race; should my white mother give my black father a cash payout? Of course not. How do we know our ancestors were slaves and not slave traders themselves?

The Rev. Adam Hamilton, prominent in the denomination's self-described "Centrist" movement, serves as pastor for the Church of the Resurrection.

Hamilton gave opening remarks, sharing a church campaign: "be Just, be kind, be humble," based upon Micah 6:8. It is a campaign promoting Christians' role in reconciliation in the community and country.