Dear friend,
The refrain,
“Lord, listen to your children praying” resounded during the July 8 ELCA Service of Prayer and Lamentation.
Organized as an opportunity to mourn together following the police shootings of
Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, the service moved to include grief over
police officers targeted by snipers at a peaceful demonstration in Dallas,
which ended in five dead and six more wounded. Lord have mercy.
Today, all
of our ELCA Advocacy staff grieve with our church and nation for this tragic
loss of life, the repeated reminders of the wounds of racism, fear and
injustice and our own complicity in their infliction. Bishop Eaton has
called on ELCA ministries and members to be present in our communities in the
wake of this and any violence; to accompany protesters, law enforcement, and
any who are frightened, despairing or searching for hope. The Gospel calls us to
be present, to show up in the places of pain. Here, under the shadow of the
cross, is where Jesus promises he will meet us to be present with us through
mercy, hope and transformation to new life.
ELCA Advocacy
offers resources and guidance for our church to tend to the wounds of our
neighbor and society by taking action to address racism, reduce violence and
build healthy, safe and resilient communities through public policy advocacy.
In addition to serving our neighbors by addressing hunger and poverty, we
invite you to take part in opportunities listed below to make your voice heard
on violence and racism.
Many more
advocacy opportunities exist in your local communities and through our state
public policy office network. ELCA Advocacy is here to support you as you take
action at any or all of these levels.
Lord, listen
to your children praying. Lord, guide our actions to be present, to bring
comfort and do justice.
Blessings,
The Rev. Amy
Reumann
Director, ELCA
Advocacy
Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America
(To view this email in web format, click here).