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The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is horrified and devastated by the recent shooting in Buffalo, NY. The white supremacist shooter acted with a violent and racist agenda against the Black community. This act of terrorism is a direct result of white supremacy and is unfortunately all too common in America.
We grieve the victims of this senseless killing and stand in solidarity with the Black community of Buffalo and the United States.
All our church and community leaders must act to undo the work of racism that’s deeply rooted in our society. We must take responsibility for this ongoing work. Every anti-racist action and conversation is a step in the right direction. For those looking to act, we offer resources for faith communities and individuals working towards racial justice, below are some resources to consider:
- Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge
- Racial Justice Conversation Guide
- Anti-Racism Starts: Do’s and Don’ts
- 8 Ways Church Leaders Can Move the Conversation Forward
- Overt and Covert Racism
- How to Share Video Evidence of Racial Trauma Honorably
- More resources centered on prayer and racial justice
For additional resources, explore our resource website: www.r2hub.org.
As we process the Buffalo Massacre, we offer up this prayer, based on Psalm 13, from GCORR Board Member Rev. Gigi A. Warren:
Gracious, Holy, and Loving God,
We find ourselves in a time of great sorrow.
Because we are weary, we lament.
Because our hearts are broken, we lament.
Because our spirits are crushed, we lament.
Because our souls want to faint, we lament.
And when we lament, You are near.
When we lament, You are the Breath of life.
When we lament, You are the One that sustains us.
Thank You Lord, that when we are weak, You are strong.
Thank You Lord, that You are our help and our rescuer.
Thank You Lord, that weeping moves us beyond sadness into compassion.
Thank You Lord, that even in lament, You take delight in us.
Thank you for the gift of lament,
So that we do more than just regret our circumstances,
We also resolve to wait patiently on You to see us through.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
In other action, the clergy session of the North Texas Annual Conference adopted a resolution May 16 condemning hate crimes such as the Buffalo massacre.
Resolution on Hate Crimes
WHEREAS the North Texas Annual Conference has committed itself to create disciples of Jesus Christ who are courageously anti-racist in a broken and hurting world through our conference initiative, the Journey Toward Racial Justice, and
WHEREAS this work of racial justice needs our constant attention due to the prevalence of white supremacy that exists in our churches, communities, and institutions, and
WHEREAS since the beginning of this conference-wide initiative, racially motivated hate crimes have risen dramatically over the past two years, including the most recent shootings at a hair salon in Dallas targeting the Asian community and at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, targeting the Black community, and
WHEREAS clergy and laity have a responsibility to resist evil in whatever forms it presents itself, with special attention given to eradicating hate in whatever forms it arises within our community, and
WHEREAS Scripture teaches us that God created every human being in God’s image and that every person, regardless of race or color, is a reflection of God’s glory; therefore, racism is incompatible with Christian teaching, is sinful and evil, and denies the image of God in others and oppresses those who are the object of God’s affections, leading to the violation and denial of human rights, justice, and inherent human sacred worth.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the clergy of the North Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church publicly and swiftly condemn acts of hate violence, with special concern given to those in our geographic jurisdiction, so that the world may know that Christ’s people are opposed to such violence and so that the victims and their communities may know that we stand with them, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we implore local congregations to study and discuss the problem of hate crimes together as a community; and that the Journey Toward Racial Justice coordinating and advisory teams help provide appropriate study materials, and specifically, once resources are available, the conference help equip clergy and laity to speak directly to the rise of hate crimes in our communities by making said resources available on the conference website, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we especially encourage district superintendents to help multiple congregations come together across differences such as race or ethnicity and undertake this work together.
Submitted by:
Rev. Dr. Frank Drenner, Grace UMC in Sherman, TX
Rev. Dr. Edgar Bazan, New World UMC in Garland, TX
Rev. Silvia Wang, First United Methodist Church in Archer City, TX
Rev. Joshua Manning, Grace Avenue UMC in Frisco, TX
Rev. Elizabeth Moseley, Highland Park UMC in Dallas, TX
Rev. Rosedanny Ortiz
Rev. Mitchell Boone, White Rock UMC in Dallas, TX
Rev. Derek Jacobs, The Village UMC in Desoto, TX