Beloved siblings in Christ,

Today we grieve once more the deep wounds of violence in our nation and world. The tragic news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk fills us with sorrow. Regardless of how you may have felt about Mr. Kirk’s politics or the movement he helped to shape, we lament this loss of life due to political violence. Any act of violence against another human being is a wound to our shared humanity, and it is never the way of Christ.

Our grief is compounded by yet another school shooting that has shattered the lives of children, families, and communities. Each time such violence occurs, we are reminded of our collective failure to protect the most vulnerable among us. All of this as we also marked the anniversary of 9/11, which brings back both the horror of that day and the dangers of allowing fear or hatred to harden our hearts against our neighbors, particularly those who are Muslim. Violence, whether in the name of politics, ideology, or religion, is not the answer.

The prophet Isaiah paints God’s vision of peace with these words: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4, NRSVUE). This vision is not only about the end of war, but about the transformation of our very instincts—from destruction to creation, from hatred to healing, from fear to love.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody this transformation in our lives, our churches, and our communities. We must model compassionate civil discourse, truth spoken in love, and a refusal to dehumanize those with whom we disagree. To take up violence is to betray the gospel; to choose compassion is to walk in the way of Christ.

We know these days are heavy with anxiety, grief, and exhaustion. It may not always be easy to hear the concerns of those who walk through the doors of our churches, or to find words that bring comfort in the midst of so much pain. Yet please know this: we are holding each of you in prayer this day. Our support for you, as pastors, congregations, and disciples of Christ, is unwavering.

We call upon all people of faith and goodwill to resist the temptation of vengeance, to reject the poison of hatred, and to recommit ourselves to the hard but holy work of building a society where disagreements are handled not with weapons but with words; not with violence but with justice; not with hatred but with love.

For the way of Christ—the way of compassion, peace, and love—is still the only way that leads to life.

In Christ’s peace,

Rev. Dr. Kristopher D. Schondelmeyer, Moderator
Dr. Marjorie Thirkettle, Vice-Moderator