Amid our tears and laments

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Once again our nation is experiencing the horror and heartache of violence as we learn of the death of nine people in Charleston, South Carolina who were shot while at prayer and Bible Study at the local historic African Methodist Episcopal Church.  

All the victims were black; the shooter was white. The police have described this as a hate crime. The pastor of the church, and one of the victims, Rev. Clemente Pinckney, was a close friend of Bishop Mike Rhyne of the Allegheny Synod. With him, we grieve for all who were so senselessly killed, for their families, for our communities, and our world in which hate still holds such sway.

We embrace in prayer all who suffer from violence and hate even as we pray for those whose own internal pain, disorientation, suffering or hatred would drive them to harm others. As people of faith we commit ourselves to addressing all that divides us as fellow human being; we commit ourselves to demonstrating to the world that there is a better way.

As the people of God we claim again this day—amid our tears and laments—the power of love over hate, the power of life over death, the power of hope over despair, and the power of celebrating our common humanity in the face of all that would divide God's beloved children. 

In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
but one community of love throughout the whole wide earth.

Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate'er your race may be.
All children of the living god are surely kin to me.

Yours in faith,
Bishop Jim Gonia


Comments

Unknown said…
Thank you Bishop for your words during this painful time for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
11:55 AM
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