I have been thinking a great deal about all of you and I can’t wait until I can meet you in person. These last few weeks have been surreal. I see many of you in Zoom meetings and I have spoken to many of you on the phone, but I am aching for some personal contact with you. I look forward to the time when we can do this. Now let me share with you my feelings and state of mind regarding some of the events taking place in our country these last few days. It still amazes me how polarized we are as a society and, sadly, as a church. We are so divided along political, religious and denominational lines that, little by little, we are forgetting that “The Other” regardless of color, gender, faith system, or political affiliation is our brother and our sister. The beauty of belonging to Christ is that through him bo  th Greeks and Jews, black/white/other, male and female, and rich and poor become precious children of God and heirs of his kingdom. Cain’s question to God in Genesis 4:9 “Am I my brother’s keeper?” is a resounding, “Yes!” We are our brothers and our sisters keepers. This is our duty as children of God and as followers of Jesus of Nazareth.

           Someone asked me the other day, “Where is God in all of this confusion and violence?” Let me tell you that the Biblical God I understand stands on the side of those who suffer affliction and injustice. God stands with the victims of violence in all its forms and permutations. God tells Moses in Exodus 3: 7, “I have heard my people’s cry.” This very day he hears the cries of his people who feel abandoned, isolated, and alone. This very day, people of all persuasions and backgrounds are crying out to God, and it is appropriate to join them in this most sacred cry of lamentation.

           I have received a number of requests for me to make a statement about the events unfolding in our country. Some found my lack of mention of these events on my Sunday sermon a sign of apathy and unconcern. I have fielded calls and emails all day today and I have written a number of statements, which I have discarded as wholly insufficient. I feel deeply in my heart that anything I might say has already been written in our Baptismal Covenant, “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” and the people reply, “I will, with God’s help.” 

           I apologize if my Sunday’s sermon seemed uncaring. We recorded that service on Tuesday, several days before the actual events. I know this is a very difficult issue for many of you. I stand with you and I pray for the God of peace to fill our minds and hearts with the knowledge and love of his son. If any of you want to discuss any of these issues, please call me for a bit of conversation and prayer. In the mean time, please continue to pray for all victims of violence.