The Rector's Response to the Protests Across Our Nation, June 2nd, 2:30pm

Like many of you, I have watched the events of the past week, heartbroken, angry, and at times not finding the words to speak about the killing of George Floyd, and the countless others who came before him. This unspeakable act of violence speaks to me of a more in-depth, darker-depth, that reveals the racial injustices that have plagued this nation for well over four hundred years.

I am rocked to my core, that innermost place in my being when I hear the words, "I can't breathe." Those three words are echoing in my mind, resonating to my bones. So, what are we to do, church? What is our response? How shall we gather our words? From whence shall our strength come?

First and foremost, we all must turn (metanoia), acknowledge, and unequivocally affirm that George Floyd is a blessed child of God. We all must turn and acknowledge and affirm that George Floyd's life mattered.

We all must turn and acknowledge the outright evil that is white supremacy and racism, which has been historically and systematically embedded in the Christian church, and at times has pressed its knee on the bodies of minority communities.

We all must turn and acknowledge our lack of perception and acceptance that we have been privileged as a community, while marginalized communities have been oppressed and killed.

We must turn and acknowledge that we hear the weeping of generations, the plight of those we have oppressed, and the depth of our participation in this brutal and senseless death.

We all must turn and acknowledge that we have to do better for those whose voices we have refused to hear, whose presence we have chosen not to accept, whose lives we seem to care so little about.

We all must turn and acknowledge and answer the call of our Baptismal Covenant, confessing Christ crucified, be willing to live the gospel and the words we profess in thought, word, deed, by loving God and loving people.

It is time; it is time for the church to wake up, speak up, show up. As a community of faith gathered, as Christians, we do not have the right to say that is not my problem. That is not my church. That is not my diocese. As siblings in Christ, this is our problem; this is our church; this is our diocese. We must turn and acknowledge the words of our Baptismal Covenant; make them not mere words on a page, not rote words we say, but a vow, a promise, a covenant that God has with us, but more so we have with God.

Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?

I renounce them.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

I will with God's help.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

I will with God's help.

I will with God's help.

Lee+