Hundreds in So-Cal hold vigils to stand in solidarity with Charlottesville victims
To Global Ministries Staff and Missionaries:
The images and events of Saturday, August 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia brought home the realities of racism in powerful and disturbing ways. Two alumni of our Global Mission Fellows program were there with counter-protesters against a white supremacy rally. Their stories struck a chord with Global Mission Fellows both in the US and from other countries. But the outrage and heartbreak are felt by people of all ages.
As the United Methodist Church’s agency for mission, relief, and development, Global Ministries does not often make public statements on issues primarily impacting the United States. We look to US-based bishops, the General Board of Church and Society, and other agencies for the Methodist perspective. You will find below links to statements from the several bishops as well as from the General Commission on Religion and Race. We commend them to the mission community. We join our prayers with theirs, even as we commit to continued engagement with those across the United States and elsewhere who seek to put love into action, stand as allies for justice, and build upon our common humanity.
For statements on Charlottesville, consult:
United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race
http://www.gcorr.org/religion-and-race-calls-for-all-united-methodists-to-love-in-action/
Bishop Sharma Lewis, resident bishop of the Richmond episcopal area
http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/BishopLewis/ReflectiononCharlottesville.pdf
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, resident bishop of the Ohio East episcopal area
Bishop Michael McKee, resident bishop of the Dallas episcopal area
https://www.northtexasumc.org/2017/08/august-12-2017-response-events-charlottesville-virginia/
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, resident bishop of the North Georgia episcopal area
http://www.ngumc.org/newsdetail/message-from-bishop-regarding-9023955
In mission together,
Thomas G. Kemper
General Secretary
General Board of Global Ministries | The United Methodist Church
458 Ponce De Leon Ave NE| Atlanta, GA 30308
(T): 404-832-7733