Dear First Church Family,
After three weeks of witness and expert testimonies, and heart-breaking video footage, a jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd. Many of us are parsing through our own emotions around what this verdict signifies – for us personally, for our communities, for our nation. One thing is clear, friends: there is still work to be done.
There is still work to be done so that justice can be realized. There is still work to be done so that all can recognize the humanity in every single one of our siblings. There is still work to be done so that our black and brown family, friends, neighbors, and community members can live free of the fear of racial profiling and violence. There is still work to be done so that the Breath of Life can thrive throughout creation.
This is difficult and necessary work. We read in Scripture:
“we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Therefore, we must lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely.”
This is work that cannot be done alone. We keep showing up in solidarity with our siblings. We keep learning about and actively dismantling the systems of oppression that weigh us down and cling so closely. We keep saying the names of those image-bearers of God whose presence is sorely missed:
George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. Michael Brown. Philando Castille. Sandra Bland. Tamir Rice. Eric Garner. Daunte Wright . . .
It seems we cannot let out a breath without seeing new names added to this list. This must stop.
As part of our Sunday morning worship at First Church, we hear these words:
“we don’t have all the answers, but together we ask the hard questions and confront the troubles and injustices we see in the world. With God’s help, we use our voices and energy to bring change.”
May we be the change we hope to see in the world as we advocate for justice, show up in solidarity, and be led by marginalized communities as we break the chains of oppression together.
Blessings and see you Sunday,
Rev. Yvonne and Rev. Jeremy