Loading...At its July meeting, the Vestry agreed to send a letter to the churches that were burned soon after the murders at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. Three of the churches were ruled as arsons. The fourth church’s cause of fire was listed as unknown. We wanted to express our support and care for these communities of worship. Below is the text of the letter sent to Briar Creek Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC; College Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church, Knoxville, TN; Glover Grove Baptist Church, Warrenville, SC; and God’s Power Church of Christ, Macon, GA.
We, the Church of Nativity and St. Stephen, are a small parish in the town of Newport in central Pennsylvania. While we are far from you, we want you to know that you are very much in our prayers. We send you God's Light and Love to hold and heal you in the aftermath of the fire that has devastated your church.
We stand firmly and clearly in rejecting the destructive actions of those who destroy the sacred spaces that others have built with love. We understand they do so to inflict harm, fear, and demonstrate oppressive power.
We continue to work in our community to dismantle racism and the kind of violence you have experienced.
We know that the Holy Spirit is guiding you even now in how to rebuild your holy worship space, even as your fellowship gives you hope.
Love and blessing,
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, LSW
Rector
On behalf of the Members of the Church
The following letter was sent to the members of Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC:
Dear Members of Emanuel Church:
We, the Church of Nativity and St. Stephen, are a small parish in the town of Newport in central Pennsylvania. While we are far from you, we want you to know that you are very much in our prayers. We send you God's Light and Love to hold and heal you in the aftermath of the murders that occurred at your church.
We stand firmly and clearly in rejecting the violent actions of those who desecrate the sacred spaces that others have built with love. We understand they do so to inflict harm, fear, and demonstrate oppressive power.
We continue to work in our community to dismantle racism and the kind of violence you have experienced.
We know that the Holy Spirit is guiding you even now through your grief, as you go through this transition time. We know your holy worship space and your fellowship gives you hope.
Love and blessing,
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, LSW
Rector
On behalf of the Members of the Church
