Presbyterian Peace Fellowship - Black Lives Matter

BLACK LIVES MATTER O God of raging fires O Jesus, who looted the Temple O Spirit found amongst grief and protest We come before you in anguish We remember this weekend the day of Pentecost when the Spirit roared into that upper room and breathed new languages on the tongues of the apostles. It’s a time of celebration for the church, but most of us don’t feel like a party. Recently, another one of your children, George Floyd, had his breath forcefully removed, O Lord. We are tired and frustrated and angry. How long O Lord will you continue to do nothing? We understand that the Spirit breathes into the Church life and love, but we’re hyperventilating and can’t focus. George Floyd is only one of the many Black people the State and white supremacists have killed this year including Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. May we be the Church who shows up to protest and in vigil. O God, in the season of Pentecost, we also remember that after the new converts were baptized, they immediately joined the work of mutual aid. Help us to continue this tradition: mutual aid as the means of intentionally sharing resources so that all may benefit. With what we have, may we donate to bail funds and other organizations that support the lives of Black people. As the world has been quiet because of quarantine, racism and state violence continue to wreak havoc on the oppressed. But you, O God, shout Black Lives Matter alongside protestors. And you, O Christ, understand State suffering and stand in solidarity with them. And you, O Spirit, sit with the grieving families of Floyd, Arbery, and Taylor. Continue to remind us: the Church is not a building, but a gathering of people demanding and living out another world. A world without violence. A world where mutual aid is our economy, not capitalism. And a world where everyone and everything is loved unconditionally. May this prayer, and every prayer, not be the end of our work, but the beginning. We pray this in the name of Christ, who walks alongside us in the struggle, Amen. Written by PPF Activist Council member Timothy Wotring Memorial at the site of George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis. Photo: WCCO Resources for this time of uprising Register here for our Virtual Coffee Hour this Friday. We be connecting with Israel-Palestine Mission Network about the upcoming action to counter Christian Zionism, and we will also take time for grief, anger, and processing about this moment and our response. Register here for our Book Club, reading How to be an Antiracist, which will begin later this summer. Register here for Peace Camp, which will include teach-ins about white supremacy and anti-racism. Many black leaders and organizations have long been calling to defund the police. This may feel like a large and overwhelming concept, and it also feels essential to listen to grassroots leaders. Here are some resources. We are in deep discussion in PPF about how to act on this demand. Contact Katie (katie@presbypeacefellowship.org) if you want to engage with this and Sign this petition to defund the Minneapolis Police. Google to find out what black organizers are calling for in your local area. Many local organizations have maxed out on received donations we join them in directing people to donate to these grassroots community orgs in Minneapolis. Our shared Pentecost fundraiser for PPF and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers continues and we welcome support. The impact of Covid-19 on essential farmworkers does not cease in a time of mass uprising. Brutal police murder, farmworker abuse, global pandemic, economic catastrophe: we are in a profoundly difficult and complex time and the needs are great and intersecting. We have raised nearly $5,000 of our $8,000 goal. If you are participating in protest: Risk, Courage, Discernment: Spiritual Preparation for Action, Covid-19 protocols remain as essential as possible in a context of mass protest. Wear a mask and bring hand sanitizer, water, and snacks. There are so many roles to play in a movement, including but not only protesting. It's a great time to let yourself reflect on what role is good and right for you. Presbyterian Peace Fellowship 845-786-6743 | presbypeacefellowship.org Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship | 17 Cricketown Road, Stony Point, NY 10980