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matthew 25 invitation
Sparked by the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and most recently Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta, protesters around the world have taken to the streets calling for police reform following the deaths of blacks at the hands of police officers. And while there have been some immediate policy changes, including the passing of “Breonna’s Law” banning no-knock warrants in Louisville, Kentucky, Brooks’ death reminds us that the battle for justice and equality for black Americans is far from over.
Count on a former architect to see the flaws in existing structures and work tirelessly and faithfully on ways to redesign them.
Nearly 400 people gathered virtually Wednesday to share with one another the good things God is doing through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Matthew 25 invitation, which seeks to build congregational vitality, dismantle structural racism and eradicate systemic poverty.
On Friday, an independent group of United Nations human rights experts released the sort of statement we are used to seeing about other nations.
“Racial Justice Resources,” what is for now a one-page list of resources to help bring about racial justice in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the wider world, is now available. Click here to view what’s currently offered. The list of resources will grow as more resources are developed.
Staff and members of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery have used the PC(USA)’s most recently-adopted confession, the Confession of Belhar, in a new video designed to remember the victims of violence against persons of color, including Kentuckians Breonna Taylor and David McAtee, George Floyd of Minnesota and Ahmaud Arbery of Georgia.
The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, released this statement Wednesday about the deep pain and anger that’s led to demonstrations and violence in cities across the county since the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police:
“My soul is troubled. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, killing over 106,000 people in this country and disproportionately impacting communities of color, and with the slayings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and just this week David McAtee, my cup runneth over with despair.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on communities of color across the country. And while black and brown people are adversely affected in times of health and economic crisis because of decades of systemic racism and poverty, they remain resilient in their ability to forge ahead despite structural obstacles.
Following protests that were disrupted by what one pastor called “a few anarchists from outside the march’s planning group,” Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and organizations in Pittsburgh are taking a quieter, prayerful approach headed into this week.
The killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, recent attacks and ridicule of people of Asian descent during the pandemic and many other horrifying examples all point out why the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) must be a Matthew 25 church, even as the coronavirus still keeps many Christians from worshiping and doing ministry in person.
