A Statement from Archbishop Foley Beach

A blessed Pentecost to all.  Speaking of which, I post this in haste as I need to get ready for church but wanted to get this out first.

ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach posted a statement last night addressing the rioting and violence since the killing of George King.  It is needful and I appreciate it.  It is the first statement from ACNA bishops that I have seen that addresses the rioting.  (Feel free to comment if I’ve missed something.)

The Archbishop’s statement follows:

Call to Prayer on Pentecost Sunday...

To the Clergy of the Anglican Church in North America,

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be people of peace and love, reflecting our Lord and Savior. We are called to be light in the darkness and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, shine Christ's love not only in our churches but in our communities. Watching the lawlessness and violence in cities all over the United States is not only heart-breaking and tragic, but completely defeats the purpose of the protests for justice. With our city here in Atlanta on fire, our own mayor broke into tears when reminding our citizens that our city's heritage is one of non-violent protest as the home and ministry center of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

For those of you in the United States, I am writing to ask you to lead your congregation in specific prayer during worship tomorrow (Pentecost Sunday) for peace and justice in our communities; for the violence to stop; for wisdom for our leaders; for comfort for those who have lost loved ones or have been injured in the violence; and for people to be drawn to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP 2019, pg. 659)

A blessed Pentecost to you! Shalom.