November 6, 2014 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27) The peace that Jesus gives is a deep-down, sustaining peace that transcends time and circumstance, a well-being that reassures us that current troubles are not all-defining and at the same time sends us into the midst of those difficulties to work on behalf of God’s desire for justice. The grand jury report on the death of Michael Brown Aug. 9 in Ferguson, Missouri, is due any day. This past weekend the Central States Synod staff visited a number of churches and met with many clergy and congregation members in St. Louis. Tensions in the region are understandably high; the fear is that when the grand jury delivers its decision another wave of violence will engulf the already beleaguered city of Ferguson and the surrounding area. In the midst of this anxiety, and in the midst of whatever events unfold in the days ahead, we are called to witness with our lives to the saving power and sustaining peace of Jesus Christ. To that end pastoral leaders and members of our churches in the St. Louis region, under the guidance of area dean, Rev. Roy Christell, are organizing in order to generate specific actions in terms of education about racism, building relationships with Metropolitan Churches United, and designating their churches as places of prayer and conversation following release of the grand jury report. Other actions will be forthcoming. Regardless of the grand jury’s decision the underlying issues of racism and privilege will continue to plague God’s people and obstruct God’s desire for full life for all of God’s children. As Jesus reached across the barriers that separated people in his day, the church now as his body continues that life-giving work. Throughout history God has used the Church as a faithful place of peace, education, and action; at this crucial time as well our churches can be safe places where persons can both speak of their own experiences of racism and privilege and also truly listen, particularly to the voice of pain coming from “the other.” As individuals we can be similar “safe places,” envoys of peace, connecting one-to-one with persons unlike ourselves. Meanwhile, I ask for your prayers for the people of Ferguson and the greater St. Louis area; Pastor Rick Brenton and the members of Zion Lutheran Church in Ferguson; and law enforcement personnel who are called to work in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. May God continue to guide our steps as we rely on the sustaining presence of the One who brings us true peace. Roger Gustafson Bishop Central States Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 17:02:00 +0000
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