From the General Presbyter
”…perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and this hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 5:3b-5
We have to have hope.
We join in prayers with our brothers and sisters in Florida as rescue workers search the rubble of a collapsed condominium. We hope that the 159 people who are unaccounted for are alive.
We hope the Chauvin verdict of 22 plus years in prison, though there are many opinions about the decision, will serve as a symbol toward justice for George Floyd’s family and all families impacted by unjust killings of Black people at the hands of police.
We hope through the U.S. Justice Department’s suit against the State of Georgia, voting rights for Black and Brown and all people will be restored, in this state and in others.

But hope has feet.
Some may not emerge from the rubble alive. But we can support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and other groups that provide aid to ease the burden these families are under.
We can continue to affirm the rights of Black and Brown people to just treatment and continue dialogues with police departments and community groups toward equality in policing.
We can continue to affirm the rights of all people to vote fairly and safely with equal access, by going to polls ourselves, however difficult it may be, and speaking out about the fear and prejudice that has caused the development of these laws.
We may not see the results we want now and that is tough, but we join those who have gone before and carry their hope into our future.
Blessings,
– Jackie