Dear editor,

As siblings in faith we are shocked and horrified by the murder of George Floyd, in broad daylight, on a public street, by a uniformed police officer. We condemn all acts of racism as we grieve for everyone whose lives have been impacted or taken as a result of it.

As we grieve George Floyd’s death we pray for his family, for Minneapolis, and for cities and people everywhere as we call for justice.

Our faiths, histories, and scriptures value life and they call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors and to use our resources to protect the marginalized and build a better world. Racism is evil and it destroys our personal and collective well-being. We grieve the pain and trauma it has caused, and we commit to the work of restoration.

The road ahead is long. Healing from trauma and violence is not easy. But our faiths teach us that justice, righteousness, and peace are always ready to be born in and among us. We can and must change our thoughts and actions that perpetuate inequality and indifference to the suffering of others.

We are committed to doing our part of this work. Especially those of us with privilege who are being called to listen, enter uncomfortable reflection and situations with goodwill and faith, and take concrete actions to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable in building a more just world.

In Faith,
The Reverend Brian Mason, Minister, First Universalist Unitarian Church
The Reverend Rachel A. Wann, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church—Wausau
The Reverend Erik Olson, Pastor, First English Lutheran Church
The Reverend Jennifer Hoffman, Pastor, St. Stephen Lutheran Church
The Reverend Jayneann McIntosh, Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Wausau
The Reverend Dr. Laurie Brubaker Davis, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church—Marshfield
The Reverend Gloria Van Houten, Pastor, Peace United Church of Christ—Schofield
Sameer Darduk, President, Islamic Society of Central Wisconsin
The Reverend Kemp Jones, Senior Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church—Wausau
The Reverend Rich Block, Senior Pastor, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church—Rothschild
The Reverend Julie Goranson, Minister, Grace United Church of Christ
The Reverend Gary Froseth, Hospice Chaplain
Marian Greenburg, President, Mt. Sinai Congregation
The Reverend Patricia Schutz, Pastor, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church—Merrill
The Reverend William J. Schruba, ELCA Pastor, Retired

Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.