We would like to thank all of you for the rich conversation during the Presbytery meeting about violence and hate crimes that Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders have experienced for many years. We all join together in grief over past crimes and the most recent shooting in Georgia. We acknowledge that the shootings in Georgia are an expression of the ongoing problems of xenophobia and white supremacy in the U.S. In addition to being a hate crime against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders this was also a gender-based crime. We believe that Christians must join together in acknowledging our country’s heritage of racism, sexism, discrimination, and countless racist policies.
We are thankful for the thoughtful words of the Rev. Young Ghil Lee during the Presbytery meeting. He pointed out that Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders have long been aware of white supremacy and the dangers it poses to all people of color. We should heed his advice to we move forward in a way that avoids more harm. He concluded his thoughtful remarks by stating, “The best thing we can do is share love and peace.”
In times like this, we must remember the words of the Confession of 1967, “God has created the peoples of the earth to be one universal family. In his reconciling love, he overcomes the barriers between brothers and breaks down every form of discrimination based on racial of or ethnic difference, real or imaginary . . .Congregations, individuals, or groups of Christians who exclude, dominate, or patronize their fellowmen, however subtly, resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith which we profess.” Let us, as a Presbytery, join together in resisting and ending white supremacy, racism, and sexism. Let us join together in ending the racist policies in our country. And let us join together in sharing love and peace with the world.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Jane Wilson, Presbytery Moderator
Rev. T. J. DeMarco, Presbytery Stated Clerk
