On Monday, May 25, an African American man named George Floyd was killed at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. People across the country began to cry out for justice, demanding that the police officers be arrested and charged with Floyd’s murder. Protests began and have continued, with tens of thousands of people uniting to cry out that Black Lives Matter, demanding that systems of racism and injustice be dismantled and all perpetrators of racial violence be brought to justice.
As part of his response to the protests, President Donald Trump has called for law and order, demanding that governors and mayors get control of their states and suggesting that he may send the military to squelch protests if governors don’t act. On Monday, June 1, peaceful protestors outside the White House were hit with flash-bang explosions and doused with tear gas to disperse them so that President Trump could pose for a photo with a Bible in front of Saint John’s Church in Washington. This has sparked outrage from many church leaders, including Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, and the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. John Dorhauer.
As the pastoral team of Central Union Church, we too are outraged that our faith is being weaponized. We too are angry that our scriptures are being used a prop. We gathered together for conversation and support and we invite you to listen, reflect, and share with us how you are feeling, too.
As President Trump stood holding the Bible, what would you have wanted him to do instead?
We invite you to conclude this week by writing a prayer for justice and for peace. Pray for those who are suffering, those who are oppressed, those who are protesting, as well as for those who are struggling with the disease of racism. If you are comfortable, share your prayer below, that we all may be praying with you.
“As the pastoral team of Central Union Church, we are outraged that our faith is being weaponized. We too are angry that our scriptures are being used a prop.”
Amen, pastors.
On Monday, President Trump used military force to clear out peaceful protesters to make room for him to stroll across Lafayette Square and cravenly expropriate the Bible for his political ends in a photo opp.
I normally favor keeping politics out of the pulpit. This past week’s events, however, cried out for us all to take a public stand. I applaud the Central Union pastors for answering that call for public condemnation.
God bless our pastors, and all of us, as we seek to find useful, peaceful avenues to end racism in our nation,
Aloha, Gerry Keir
Why am I not reading comments from our congregation? I am glad that there is none. I honestly believe that majority of CUC members refrain by discussing politics especially attacking each other’s political ideology. If you follow Jesus Christ you should Engage & Embrace All As We Seek To Embody Christ instead of attacking someone because you don’t agree with him. Christ has taught us to love and pray for your enemy even if you don’t agree with him. So let us pray for George Floyd and his family and all the families who lost their business being ransacked and burned by looters and rioters. Let us also remember the black retired police captain who was shot to death while trying to guard his friend’s business. And most of all, let us pray for peace and order.