Dear HPUMC Family,

For the past several days, I have been distraught over the death of George Floyd and the aftermath of such injustice. Heartache, anger, grief, disgust – all rolled into one ball of despair. Our nation and community are in a sad place. We have seen the horror of a human life taken inexcusably and unacceptably. And, to compound matters, we are now seeing the righteous anger of legitimate protest devolve into more violence and chaos. In many communities, including Dallas, interlopers with destructive agendas have hijacked civil discourse for their own illegitimate causes.

What do we do as a church? On June 11, 1939, Senior Minister, Dr. Marshall Steel, established the tenor of HPUMC's approach to injustice with arguably the most influential sermon ever preached from our pulpit. Steel pointed out the enormous responsibility Christians have in battling oppression, suffering, and community distress. He awakened the congregation to their fundamental role as disciples of Jesus – to demonstrate the qualities of the one we follow. To live and act like Christ in response to injustice in all of its forms. And when Steel reminded those in attendance that "we have assumed we could live out here in a restricted residential area and have no responsibility" for the pain of the world around us, HPUMC embraced the challenge. We continue to carry that mantle today.

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares, we have already come," not because we've been silent, but because we choose to respond publicly with the compassion of Christ. We choose to leverage God's provision of influence for the greater good. That's what Christians do. Racism is not compatible with Christianity. It is a sin that hinders our relationship with Jesus and prevents us from bringing the kingdom of God to earth.

I ask for your prayers and participation as we immerse ourselves in an unavoidable problem. I ask the same as we craft a prayerful, Biblical, thoughtful, and tactical response in both word and deed. And, I ask that you join together to become more attuned to the pain and sorrow tearing at the very soul of our community. God has richly blessed us. We can make a difference, not just a statement. Thank you for being the church God has called us to be. And may we heed the holy words of the Apostle Paul, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

Rev. Paul Rasmussen
Senior Minister