Dear Pastors and Clerks of Session,
On behalf of the Presbytery of Charlotte, we are heartbroken and distressed at the events that transpired on September 20, 2016 surrounding the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott. We pray God’s comfort on all those who grieve for him this day. We also grieve the subsequent violence that followed. We pray for the healing of Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officers and any citizens that were injured. May God guide us to peaceful protests and peace in our city.
As Presbyterians, we not only pray, but we stand with those who hurt. We are present with those who grieve and we work for justice for all people. We call upon all churches to continue to pray and to bear witness to Christ’s call for justice. Let us pray this prayer together:
Grant, O God,
that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart,
that the barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease,
and that, with our divisions healed,
we might live in justice and peace;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace and Peace…
Rev. Katie Harrington, Presbytery Moderator and Co-Chair of Presbytery Racism Task Force
Rev. Albert Moses, Co-Chair of Presbytery Racism Task Force
Rev. Allan Purtill, Presbytery Council Moderator
Rev. Amantha Barbee, Moderator of Presbytery Mission, Justice and Outreach Committee
Rev. Betty L. Meadows, Transitional General Presbyter
Tamara Williams, Presbytery Stated Clerk