A Response to Violence in Minnesota

Dear family in Christ,
I write with a heavy heart as we once again learn of violence that has disrupted communities, strained trust in our law enforcement and elected leaders, and ended a life in my home state of Minnesota.

While I will share words of my fellow bishops in Minnesota when they become available, for now I wish to lift up again the message that many in the conference of bishops wrote in October of last year:

Insist on Love, we wrote together. Insist on love in our words, our actions, our public witness, and our life together.

This Sunday, many of our congregations will celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. Often in this liturgy we give thanks for baptism and remember our own where we promised to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, striving for justice and peace in all the earth. Let us be bold and faithful in this covenant, striving to listen with curiosity and patience, comforting those who grieve and fear, and work tirelessly to see the image of God in one another even in our differences – for we are a valued part of creation.

Your sister in Christ,

Bishop Melissa L. Stoller

For more information about our ministry partners and work as the ELCA: swpasynod.org/stories/careforneighbors