A Pastoral Letter from the Bishop: April 19, 2021
“For Christ is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” -Ephesians 2:14
Dear Siblings in the Risen Christ,
Almost one year ago, the eyes of the nation and the world were fixed on the events surrounding the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. We now turn our collective gaze once more to Minneapolis, as the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin moves toward a verdict. Needless to say, fear and anxiety have risen as the trial has progressed and now heads toward a conclusion. For many, the last few weeks have been a reopening of the deep wounds of structural racism and a reliving of racial trauma. There is much pain, there is deep hurt, and yet there is abiding hope.
As followers of Jesus, the one who breaks down dividing walls, we live in the hope that we as the Church are called to be a reconciling presence in our communities and our neighborhoods. Despite the verdict, despite the outcome of this trial, it is clear that there is work to be done, deep work to be done. God calls us to be people of peace, hope and love. God also calls us to be people who seek after justice and not revenge.
There will be anger, fear, disappointment, hurt, and perhaps a measure of relief and grief. As people of faith, we must continue to engage in the ongoing work of racial reckoning in our continued walk with Jesus. The essential work of the church in bringing reconciliation and healing, in being makers of peace and practitioners of justice, must continue.
I invite you therefore, wherever you may be at the time of the verdict, to stop and pray. Pray for peace in our communities, peace for the Floyd family and peace for our first responder sisters and brothers working to protect us. Pray and act for an end to the scourge of racism in our country.
May the risen Christ lead us all to live more fully into our call to engage the work of racial reckoning, of repairing the breach, of mending the walls, of proclaiming peace to the nations.
May God bless and keep you and those whom you love.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson
Eleventh Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
written by the Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson Give us the gift of bitter weeping, O God, tears shed for those who have lost their lives because of injustice, cruelty and fear. Turn the hearts of your people, that we may recognize your divine image in the face of others. Hear our prayer. Give us the gift of soulful lament, O God, wailing for those who mourn, those who grieve, and those whose hearts are broken. That we may walk in compassion as companions and caregivers in times of deep loss and pain. Hear our prayer.
Give us the gift of righteous anger, O God, anger at the way things are and action that we may pursue justice and righteousness for those who are oppressed, marginalize and downtrodden; that every neighborhood and community, may be a haven for all God’s people. Hear our prayer.
Give us the gift of sacred brokenness, O God, broken open so that we from our wounds may bring healing and wholeness to others. As your Son carried the wounds of his brokenness, so may we from the places of hurt become a people of reconciliation and healing. Hear our prayer.
Give us the gift of unfailing hope, O God, hope that while we are placed among things that are passing away, we may hold fast to a vision of the coming day of peace. May we be co-creators of a world built on mutuality and love. Hear our prayer.
Give us the gift of unconditional love, O God, love that sees with the eyes of the Divine and transforms enemies into friends. May our lives and our living be reflections of your love, and may our actions be Good News to the world in need. Hear our prayer.
Give us the gift of Jesus the Christ, O God, that we who have been buried and raised with him may live resurrected lives. As Jesus moved from Good Friday into joy of Easter, may we too move from the places of lament and weeping into a place of joy and wonder in all your works. Lord, open our eyes to a new and holy vision that your people may be your people in the days to come. Make us brave, O Lord, together. Amen.
O God, Creator of the universe and lover of souls, we stand before you as fragile humans, made only of earthy clay and your animating breath. In all humility, we hold to you all those who are weary, tired, and worn. Help us to know that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and that any action that hurt the one, injures the many. Make us healers of the breach and companions in compassion; through Jesus the hope of the world. Amen.
A Litany in Times of Uncertainty
(permission to share, with attribution)
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