Stand together against hate

Dear Friends in Christ –

Even as we continue to endure the global covid crisis, our nation and our community suffers just as viral a scourge of hate– just as destructive and just as deadly. But we have a cure if we have the will. 

Armed with Holy Boldness we can face down the plague of hate and disarm its power. 

Day by day we may be seen to be the bearers of God’s Spirit who’s munition is love. 

Let no one doubt its power and our need of it now. 

We are a diverse body. Let us reach out to each other to listen, to hold each other and to bear witness to the one who loved us to his death. 

Stand up. Stand firm. Stand together.

In Christ’s love –

#IRunWithMaud

"You shall be called to be repairers of the breach." -Isaiah 58
 

We are heartbroken. Heartbroken and resolute.

It’s happened again. It seems a young man has been shot because he was black. 

Let us lament, let us be appalled. Let us remember we serve a God of justice. Let us work to be justice-makers because that is the path to peace. Peace doesn't exist within our homes or communities until it exists within all our homes and on all our streets. 

Let us go into our days on the path Jesus set forth, to be active peacemakers. Maybe you need to speak up within your own neighborhood, classroom, and conversations; or maybe you need to simply listen. God calls us to different paths, but our goal is the same and our hope for a more peaceful and just world is resolute. How are you called to love your neighbor? How are you called to be a repairer of the breach? Ask God. That prayerful conversation is life-changing. 

Today would have been Ahmaud Arbery's 26th birthday. We hope you will be able to get out on a walk or run to lift up Maud's spirit. Do so in obedience.

#ahmaudarbery #irunwithmaud

Advocating for an Apology for Charleston's Involvement with Slavery

This week we were able to be part of a big step in the right direction - we were advocates for an apology for Charleston's involvement with slavery. 

Carolyn Rivers of the Social Justice Racial Equity Collaborative wrote in an op-ed piece for the Post and Courier, "The Resolution to Recognize, Denounce and Apologize for the City's Involvement with Slavery is not an apology by any individual. It's an apology made on behalf of the city of Charleston for its role in regulating, supporting and fostering slavery and the resulting atrocities inflicted by the institution of slavery. It is a recognition that the prosperity and robust economy of this city began with a dependency upon the free labor, technical expertise and craftsmanship of those peoples who were enslaved."

So much to be said. So much to be done, but it starts with a recognition of harm done and an expressed statement of contrition. Second Presbyterian is an engagement partner in the movement, led by our example of the Christ we follow and whose name we bear.