Elizabeth Soto-Albrecht is the moderator of Mennonite Church USA. This statement will also be sent as part of a letter to Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church as well as the national African Methodist Episcopal Church offices.
Mennonite Church USA expresses our lament for the loss of eight members and the pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston, South Carolina. Our cry of lament over the injustices of this massacre joins with you as you wipe your tears and weep for the families of these dear ones.
As an act of solidarity, we join you in declaring that the roots of this hate crime are racism which is sustained by the ideology of white supremacy. We denounce this evil and proclaim that all humans are created in God’s image and all life matters to our Creator God. We denounce the uncontrollable use of firearms available to anyone in our streets. We join you in praying and supporting initiatives sponsored by President Obama to develop better laws to limit access to firearms.
And we repent for the ways that even within the church we have acted in ways that have perpetuated racial divisions and violence. We ask that the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding would continue to comfort the families in Charleston and we pray that healing may abound to all.
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