Unity. Diversity. Charity.
Press Release
The Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) In Kentucky
June 2, 2020
As the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation voice of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) In Kentucky, we deplore the most recent acts of violence that took the lives of Armaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Sadly, and disgracefully, their deaths follow the long list of deaths of other Black and Brown innocent children of God who have been murdered in this country. Perhaps most distressing, two of these last murders were at the hands of law enforcement officers whose behavior has been legitimized as an expression of our culture which is steeped in a long history of White supremacy.
This behavior must stop and never be condoned. We embrace the call of those who are protesting. “No justice-no peace,” is the chant heard from those who have suffered for generations without remedy. As The Rev. Dr. King said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." (Stride Toward Freedom), 1958.
If one of us cannot breathe, none of us can. We all are victims of injustice when innocent people are victimized. Until those who committed these murders are held accountable, the call for justice must continue to be heard. Again, words from Dr. King inspire us, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
While prayer, empathy, and even the honest examination of the way we think about systemic racism is necessary to address its depth and pervasive evil, thoughts and prayers for the families who have lost these loved ones is not enough. We call for the dismantling of our systems of racism which have unfortunately been woven into the narrative that is the history of The United States of America dating back to the inception and acceptance of slavery to the brutal displacement of tribal peoples from their homelands.
We know that there are many law enforcement officials, many of whom are members of our faith communities, who are honest, caring and honorable as they carry out their duties. We are saddened that they are identified with the officers who killed Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and others in the past. We pray that justice is done and that these murderers are held accountable for their reckless and heinous behavior.
Likewise we insist that the screening of law enforcement candidates include examining their capacity to act fairly and justly when interacting with all people, including but not limited to people of different races, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, and mental health conditions. We join with Black Lives Matter Louisville demanding that the use of force by the Louisville Metro Police Department be addressed; that the police officers who murdered Breonna Taylor be fired, lose their pensions and be prosecuted and that a functioning system of civilian review of law enforcement misconduct be created. Action must be taken to validate these concerns.
We also demand justice for those who brutally gunned down Armaud Arbery. Those who murdered him must be brought to justice and prosecuted. Likewise, all of those law enforcement officers who participated in George Floyd’s shameful murder must be held accountable and brought to justice.
Our country is not only suffering from the effects of the corona virus but also from the deep-seated ailment that is racism. We understand that it will be difficult to treat this ailment, but like our effort with COVID-19, we remind everyone that we are in this together.
To breathe freely is a God-given human right. To impair that and take it away from someone is a sin. Our hope and prayer are that this assault upon our Black and Brown brothers and sisters comes to an end and that we collectively examine its root causes and change the system that has allowed it to happen. May it be so.
The Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Ministry Team of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) In Kentucky
Rev. Jeff Bell, Rev. Kristen Bentley, Rev. Dean Bucalos, Rev. Bruce Dobyns, Rev. Erin Cash, Marsha Driscoll, Sonny Driscoll, Rev. Dennis Gray, Susie Gray, Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins, Rev. Darrell Hayden, Rev. Linda Jones, Rev. Stephanie Moon, Rev. Tracy Parker, Rev. Dean Phelps, Rev. Syvoskia Bray Pope, Rev. Joey Pusateri, Rev. Caitlin Simpson
The Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) In Kentucky
June 2, 2020
As the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation voice of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) In Kentucky, we deplore the most recent acts of violence that took the lives of Armaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Sadly, and disgracefully, their deaths follow the long list of deaths of other Black and Brown innocent children of God who have been murdered in this country. Perhaps most distressing, two of these last murders were at the hands of law enforcement officers whose behavior has been legitimized as an expression of our culture which is steeped in a long history of White supremacy.
This behavior must stop and never be condoned. We embrace the call of those who are protesting. “No justice-no peace,” is the chant heard from those who have suffered for generations without remedy. As The Rev. Dr. King said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." (Stride Toward Freedom), 1958.
If one of us cannot breathe, none of us can. We all are victims of injustice when innocent people are victimized. Until those who committed these murders are held accountable, the call for justice must continue to be heard. Again, words from Dr. King inspire us, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
While prayer, empathy, and even the honest examination of the way we think about systemic racism is necessary to address its depth and pervasive evil, thoughts and prayers for the families who have lost these loved ones is not enough. We call for the dismantling of our systems of racism which have unfortunately been woven into the narrative that is the history of The United States of America dating back to the inception and acceptance of slavery to the brutal displacement of tribal peoples from their homelands.
We know that there are many law enforcement officials, many of whom are members of our faith communities, who are honest, caring and honorable as they carry out their duties. We are saddened that they are identified with the officers who killed Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and others in the past. We pray that justice is done and that these murderers are held accountable for their reckless and heinous behavior.
Likewise we insist that the screening of law enforcement candidates include examining their capacity to act fairly and justly when interacting with all people, including but not limited to people of different races, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, and mental health conditions. We join with Black Lives Matter Louisville demanding that the use of force by the Louisville Metro Police Department be addressed; that the police officers who murdered Breonna Taylor be fired, lose their pensions and be prosecuted and that a functioning system of civilian review of law enforcement misconduct be created. Action must be taken to validate these concerns.
We also demand justice for those who brutally gunned down Armaud Arbery. Those who murdered him must be brought to justice and prosecuted. Likewise, all of those law enforcement officers who participated in George Floyd’s shameful murder must be held accountable and brought to justice.
Our country is not only suffering from the effects of the corona virus but also from the deep-seated ailment that is racism. We understand that it will be difficult to treat this ailment, but like our effort with COVID-19, we remind everyone that we are in this together.
To breathe freely is a God-given human right. To impair that and take it away from someone is a sin. Our hope and prayer are that this assault upon our Black and Brown brothers and sisters comes to an end and that we collectively examine its root causes and change the system that has allowed it to happen. May it be so.
The Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Ministry Team of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) In Kentucky
Rev. Jeff Bell, Rev. Kristen Bentley, Rev. Dean Bucalos, Rev. Bruce Dobyns, Rev. Erin Cash, Marsha Driscoll, Sonny Driscoll, Rev. Dennis Gray, Susie Gray, Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins, Rev. Darrell Hayden, Rev. Linda Jones, Rev. Stephanie Moon, Rev. Tracy Parker, Rev. Dean Phelps, Rev. Syvoskia Bray Pope, Rev. Joey Pusateri, Rev. Caitlin Simpson
In Person Church Services are cancelled until further notice, but we meeting livestream on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fccmorehead) on Sundays at 10:45. Like our page and you will be notified when worship service begins. Our office is open. Please use the airphone to gain entrance to the church, and please wear a mask, for everyone's safety.
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary with our Wahkler pipe organ.
To celebrate this occasion, please enjoy this wonderful gift that has been presented to us by Ted Gentry, organist at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, in honor of the late, dear Curtis Hammond.
Follow this link. youtu.be/ooXMRIU9APk
Minister: Rev. Nancy Gowler
227 East Main Street, Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: (606)784-4836
Email: fccmky@gmail.com
Hours: M-Th 8:30am - 1pm
Sunday Worship Service: 10:45am via Facebook. www.facebook.com/fccmorehead
Adult Sunday School: 9:45am Cancelled at this time.
Handicapped Accessible
Nursery available for children 3 and under. Cancelled at this time.
Your gifts help us spread the love of God. Learn more about how your gifts work.
First Christian Church, Morehead, KY is a non-profit, religious organization.
Copyright 2020
Copyright 2020
