(Submitted by the Bowling Green Ministerial Association – a statement that the BG Ministerial Association has created in response to the death of George Floyd condemning racism and violence. Pastors in Bowling Green were given the opportunity to sign the document that was drafted and edited at the June 2nd meeting of the BGMA. )
The Bowling Green Ministerial Association (BGMA) and its member pastors resolutely condemn both racism and violence. We grieve for the death of Mr. Floyd, and for all the other victims of excessive force employed by US law enforcement agencies against people of color. Our Holy Scriptures tell us that humankind is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, as part of our Christian understanding and our witness in the world, we stand to say that racism and violence are sins against humanity and creation.
Let us be clear, we are family and we are truly all in this together. Each of us is a person of sacred worth created by a loving God. Christ invites all people to come unto Him regardless of the color of our skin, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Jesus Christ offers healing and wholeness in the living waters that flow from His Word.
Those who drink of the Word of God will never thirst, therefore we are inviting the Bowling Green community to begin drinking deeply of the living waters of faith.
Micah 6:8 asks “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” These words of the Old Testament remind us of the call to discipleship that every Christian faces in this life.
Justice. Mercy. Love. We the undersigned pastors and community leaders have committed to working toward an end to racism and violence in our country and our world.
We will each continue conversations in our congregations through prayer, listening, preaching, teaching, and action. We believe that each of us must do whatever we can in our spheres of influence to promote the dignity and respect that every person whose skin is black or brown deserves.
We would like to invite the community to participate in the Not In Our Town Community Conversation on Race and Equity planned for Thursday, June 4, from 3-5 p.m. The online meeting can be accessed at the following link: https://bgsu.webex.com/bgsu/j.php?MTID=medce594d92a455d4395b5f56a200871b to continue this important conversation.
In the peace and love of Christ,
- Rev. Andrea Curry, President, BGMA, Trinity United Methodist Church, Bowling Green
- Rev. Matthew Every, Vice-President, BGMA, First Christian Church, Bowling Green
- Rev. Helen K. Dukes, United Methodist (retired)
- Pastor David Bliss, St. Paul Lutheran Church
- Rev. Wendy L.M. Guion, Retired – attending FUMC
- Rev. Deborah Conklin, Peace Lutheran Church, ELCA
- Rev. Gary Saunders, Retired
- Bishop Bill Mullins, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Rev. Amy Joy Miller, First United Methodist Church, Bowling Green
- Rev. David Montgomery, First Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green
- Rev. Betty Wineland, United Methodist (retired)
