Grace Presbyterian Church Session Statement about Black Lives Matter
We, the Grace Church Session, strongly believe in the pursuit of social justice and equity as taught by scripture. We have been called to respond to the events of our world. After the murder of George Floyd, our church began a series of prayer vigils to pray for an end to violence and racism, and to pray for healing. It’s important for us as a church to stand up for and to defend the marginalized. It is important for us to be present within the community and to not be silent. We condemn senseless police brutality and we hear the cries of the communities that have been impacted for generations by institutional racism. The issues are complex, but our calling is simple.
As Jesus left the 99 sheep to lift up the one, we are called to do the same.
As God requires us to act justly and love mercy, we are called to do the same.
As Jesus tells us to love your neighbor as yourself, we are called to do the same.
….We affirm that BLACK LIVES MATTER. The Session of Grace Church
firmly stands behind this statement. We believe that BLACK LIVES MATTER is not a political statement but a statement of biblical truth. Our support for this statement is an embrace of social justice and equity within our church and the world.
Liturgy from June 28th Prayer Vigil
PC(USA) Resources
Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community Churchwide Anti-Racism Policy, including links to additional resources and a study guide.
Excerpt from this policy:
While recognizing that racism victimizes many different racial ethnic groups, we acknowledge its unique impact on the African American community. Given the particular forms that anti-black racism has taken in the United States of America both historically (including slavery and Jim Crow) and today (including mass incarceration, disproportionate policing, economic inequality, and continuing acts of racially oriented violence and hate), we state clearly: GOD LOVES BLACKNESS. Too many have denied this basic truth for too long. Our choice to align ourselves with love and not hate requires both a rejection of racism and a positive proclamation that God delights in black lives.
Presbyterian Women on “Why Black Lives Matter,” which includes a printable flyer with the statement below.
Why “Black Lives Matter”?
- It’s a Church issue. To insist that black lives matter, for followers of Jesus, is to believe that all are created in the image of God. We have done all kinds of things to distort this image, but God is restoring it and reconciling the world. We are called to join in that work.
- It’s about equality. To insist that black lives matter is to insist that persons of color deserve equal dignity and concern as all other persons, without exception.
- It’s contextual. To insist that black lives matter is not less than insisting that all lives matter. We specifically insist that black lives matter because the historical and contemporary injustice done to people of color demands it.
- It’s everyone’s—and no one’s. To insist that black lives matter is not to endorse individual groups or positions or to oppose police as persons. It is not a justification of violence but a rejection of violence in every form.
- It’s not enough. To insist that black lives matter means we must be willing to have difficult conversations with others—and with ourselves. We must listen. We must acknowledge. We must repent. We must speak up. We must act.
Presbyterian Historical Society Statement on Black Lives Matter
PC(USA) General Assembly affirms that Black lives matter; pledges to work against systemic racism from Presbyterian Outlook