An open letter to state Rep. Tim Hennessey on school funding

Dear Brother Tim Hennessey,

Two weeks ago, I stood in “Chicken Hill” with you, witnessing the devastation of a house explosion that caused so much destruction, fear, worry, and grief to this community — Pottstown — a village for which you have been tasked to serve and protect. You have been elected as a representative of this community to work for the betterment of the lives of those who call this place home. I truly believe, in your heart of hearts, and in your Christian conviction, that you desire the good — I saw your heart when I walked the street with you and when I saw your face in nearly all of the news articles reporting on this tragic event, including showing up and being present the night all of this happened. I know goodness is there, which is why I am appealing to you, my brother, not just as a public servant, but as a fellow Christian sibling, someone whom I know takes his faith seriously, and for whom I believe one of the reasons you serve in this capacity is because of that very faith.

Brother Tim — will you see our children? Will you see the ones Jesus drew to his knee, whom He centered and pointed to as the greatest in the kingdom? Will you take seriously that they are depending on us adults, and especially us adults with political power, like you, to ensure that they have what they need? You sent a letter to our sister, yours and mine, Jennifer Mudd, sharing that you, “intend to wait until we have a clearer picture as to what our financial situation is” because of all of the “numbers” you are considering, all while you have the opportunity to do good now. We do not have time, brother, for you to “consider” whether this is a “good time” to do right. We need you to do right, now. Our community’s children need equity, now. By the time you “consider” whether or not it is the right thing to do, another class will graduate, another generation will grow older knowing that their future needs to wait. They do not have time for you to consider, Brother Tim. You have the opportunity to do the right thing now, while you consider how to make up for this gap in the future.

Supporting this budget proposal would grant the Pottstown School District, and others like it, to provide significantly more to their students, your constituents, while you consider and secure a future that will provide for them in a more sustainable way.

Our common faith, Brother Tim, reminds us that when it came to the oppressed, the poor, the disenfranchised, folks on the margins, Jesus always sided with those in need. Always. And He called us to do the same. I know you know that, and we are depending on you to not leave your faith at the political door. With power comes great responsibility, and when we have such power and privilege, our faith calls us to use it to serve those who need it most.

So, Brother Tim. Use the power and privilege granted to you as a public servant to do the right thing. We know the task isn’t easy, but that is no excuse for you not to do it.

Brother Tim, do the right thing, now. Brother Tim, do not allow our children to have less than what they deserve a minute more, while you wait. While you consider. Brother Tim, do the right thing now.

Know, as your sister in faith, Brother Tim, I hold you in my prayers, that God would grant you the courage to follow Jesus.

Rev. Nichole Jackson,

Open Table United Church of Christ