01/07/2021
Dear Youth of GSUMC -
As many of you are likely aware, yesterday we as a nation watched in shock as insurrectionists, some armed, stormed the United States Capitol Building in an attempt to disrupt the democratic process of approving Joe Biden’s presidency. One woman was shot and killed during this attempted coup.
Older generations have related the feeling of watching yesterday’s events unfold to the way they felt on September 11, 2001, but I know this isn’t an event that your generation remembers as it happened. I related the feeling to how I felt on April 15, 2013, when we got news that two bombs had been detonated during the annual Boston marathon. Or, earlier that school year, on December 14 2012, when we got news of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. And in more recent memory, and an event many of you are more likely to remember, I felt the same shock as when news began to come in about the events at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14th 2018.
All of these events call up a feeling of dread and uncertainty, a sense of “what is happening to our country?” as debates spark up once again about our inalienable rights and where we must draw the line.
You have likely already seen these conversations and debates come up, especially if you have access to social media or multiple sources of news. Who has the right to protest? When does a protest turn into a riot? When does a riot turn into an insurrection or a coup? What do any of these words even mean? What does this mean for me, or for a political party, or for my parents?
I have worried over how to make this post as politically neutral as possible when the truth is, this was not a politically neutral event. We, as Christians, must ask ourselves how to faithfully answer politically-charged questions. How can we speak faithfully and kindly about politics in the way scripture demands (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6), when many of peoples' constitutional rights were challenged by yesterday's events?
We know that as Christians, we must stand against hate and violence and protect the margianalized, but how?
The truth is, the answers we seek about how to talk about yesterday’s events can only come through faithful prayer and discernment. As Christians, and as Methodists, we are called to be steadfast in our pursuit of Christ-likeness and to be constant in prayer. This can be a difficult task to assume on your own, which is why I want you to understand that you are not alone in your questions and wrestling.
This afternoon, from 4:00-4:45, I’ll be available via ZOOM at the link in the comments for prayer and conversation about what happened yesterday, as I understand many of you wish to process this with your peers. Parents, you are encouraged and welcome to join us as well. For now, I’d like to close with a prayer penned by Brad Brown of the Mountain Sky Conference.
Our Lord. Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Comforter.
The Great I Am. One and All as I am One with Thee.
You are but Love and Your Love leads to Good.
You move in our lives and make a way.
You knew us before we were born; You know our needs before we ask.
You Give fully and openly.
Your children are fighting. Your children are angry.
Your children are in fear.
Bring us together again – Bind us fully as You bind the wounded.
We know but do not understand.
We ask to be as You. To be with You as You are with us.
To be in Your Heart and You are in our heart.
We are confident in Your guidance. We are brave in Your arms.
We will move in this world as You move in the world beyond.
We know Your Power for Good and we are grateful for your Love.
Amen.
Blessings always,
Katie Letts
Director of Discipleship
