Church of the Redeemer,
Each day, the prayer of general thanksgiving in Morning Prayer directs us to ask God to “give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days.” Integrity of word and action is likewise a central theme of the book of Acts, which we are studying this summer, as the first Christians proclaimed and manifested the gospel to others.
In the two weeks since George Floyd’s killing, our nation is once again struggling over the integrity of our collective words and actions: Are the civil rights and lives of black Americans equally respected? By law enforcement? By courts? By general society? Wherever the answer is no, what can be done to correct these injustices?
In the midst of these weeks of lament and civil unrest, Church of the Redeemer has offered its voice in prayers of repentance with local Anglican churches and in prayer with African-American clergy at gatherings in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. We have followed the godly admonitions of our Archbishop, Bishop and other clergy in ACNA in confessing “that we have failed to see, understand, and address the expressions of racism, both personal and systemic, that plague our society, communities, and churches.” While statements and expressions of repentance are important, we earnestly desire integrity between our words and actions, showing forth God’s praise not only with our lips, but in our lives.
In that spirit, please consider the following opportunities to live out your words:
- Visit the George Floyd memorial at 38th and Chicago Ave. See the place of his death, and remember the deaths of others like him at the memorial at 37th and Columbus Ave.
- Be informed. Church of the Redeemer will be offering summer book discussions on issues of racial justice using the books Just Mercy and White Fragility, and poetry of Claudia Rankine. Consider reaching out to friends, family members, or neighbors whose experiences may differ from your own. Discuss and wisely discern these issues with other believers.
- This month, a task force will be assembled to identify ways that Church of the Redeemer can more effectively show forth God’s praise in issues of race and justice. Pray for the assembly of this task force and the effectiveness of initiatives that arise from its work.
- Serve, and share of your time and resources. Participate in the work of our Together for Good team, which supports families in crisis–many of whom are African-American. Participate in the crisis relief and donation efforts named in our email touchpoints.
Brothers and sisters, to us “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14). Be zealous in word and deed, and may you show forth God’s praise not only with your lips, but in your life.
blessings in Christ,
Rev. Paul Calvin
Rector