Dear Caldwell,
Tragedy greets us this morning as news about a shooting at an African-American Charleston church unfolds, and we turn to our Lord for help, strength and answers. The shooting has been called a hate crime. It triggers all kinds of questions and fears and suspicions, and the hours, days and weeks ahead will tell us more about what was in the mind and the heart of the one who inflicted such violence against his neighbors.
As a congregation that seeks to stand for healing and racial reconciliation, we look within ourselves and to our faith in the Prince of Peace, who came to reconcile the world and its broken ways with its loving Creator. First, at least, we can pray for the families, friends, congregation members and the broader community members who awake in shock this morning. We can also seek to mediate God’s presence and peace to others as we go about our day, trusting God for both answers and for justice.
In Christ,
John