Greetings, Friends –
According to Google, racism is “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior”.
I am exhausted from the trauma I, along with millions of other men and women, experience on a daily basis. In light of what we’ve all been hearing on the news and reading on our social media feeds, I ask for all of us to stand up and agree, “Enough is enough!” Then move forward as one.
I Corinthians 12:13, “We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink”.
There seems to be a new shooting every week followed by an attack on the victim’s character in the news. Why do we have the same thing happen over and over again with no discussion on how to make a permanent change? These are our brothers and sisters in Christ being lynched, sometimes in broad daylight. We are all connected to each other. We are members of the human race.
Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Resolution Number: 2018 – A229 Acknowledge Police Violence and Confront Racism
Resolved, That while we honor and raise up the work of dedicated police officers who put their lives on the line to serve and protect, we also acknowledge the numerous inexcusable deaths and intimidation of people of color at the hands of law enforcement personnel in communities all over the United States, including but not limited to Standing Rock; New York City; Rapid City, South Dakota; Falcon Heights, Minnesota; North Charleston, South Carolina; Ferguson, Missouri; and Baltimore, Maryland; and be it further
Resolved, That these and events like them are an unconscionable affront to the Gospel commandment to uphold the dignity of every human being and require a prophetic response by clergy and laity. We therefore deplore any and all efforts that have occurred and may occur to silence these voices; and be it further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church hereby does condemn the improper actions of authorities against people of color or any actions that make clergy and laity feel they should not speak out or take nonviolent action to eliminate the sin of racism.
Revelation 7:9-10 states: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
Let us pray –
Lord, make us instruments of your peace; where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. (Inspired by the prayer of St. Francis)
~ Luke Thompson, Diocesan Council Resolution Review Committee
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