George Floyd, Terence Crutcher, Freddie Gray, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown
These are only five names, but the complete list would consist of thousands of names of black people incarcerated, maimed or killed because of the colour of their skin. Where do we stand? What should we do? Is this someone else’s problem or is it our problem?
As Christians the answer is clear. Where there is suffering we must act. As Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of us you do for me”. It is our calling, it is our job, it is our joy to help those in need. At this moment in history the Outreach Committee is asking our congregation to make a stand.
It is not a big thing, but it is something that shows the suffering that we are with them and that the core of Christianity is not what happens inside the confines our church walls but what we do in the wider world.
We are asking every member of our church, old or young, white or not, left wing or right wing, shy or outgoing to put a sign in their window that states where you stand. It might read “Black Lives Matter”, “End Systemic Racism” or “Justice for Everyone”. That’s up to you, but please make your voice and the voice of Jesus heard.