Letter from ABCNJ Executive Minister about the Atlanta Shooting

In labor all creation groans till fear and hatred cease,
Till human hearts come to believe: In Christ alone is peace.
In labor all creation groans till prejudice shall cease,
Till every race and tribe and tongue in Christ will live in peace.
In labor all creation groans till rape and murder cease,
Till women walk by night unharmed and Christ is this world’s peace.
In labor all creation groans till false divisions cease,
Till enemies are reconciled in Christ who is our peace.
- Lamentations Music - Words by Sister Delores Hufner

Once again, creation groans and our hearts are full of sorrow because of the violence and hatred that continues to touch our world, neighbors, and lives.

On Tuesday, March 16, 2021, eight people were tragically shot. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent. This tragedy comes when the Asian community is already dealing with violence from misguided people who have attempted to extract retribution against Asians and Asian Americans for the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These false claims are fueled by a long history of white supremacy, systemic racism, and gender-based violence within the United States. This shooting has also highlighted how racism and sexism are inextricably linked, leaving women uniquely vulnerable to violence and discrimination.

Rev. Hojin Yu, ABCNJ’s Associate Regional Pastor for Asian Ministries, states, “this is not the first time in the past year that we are dealing with racial conflict. As we pray over another incident, our society, communities, churches, and leaders need to work together to further address this issue with hope, love, and peace, so that our future generations can be freed from such tragedies.”

We extend our profound condolences to the families of the victims of this shooting and we pray for everyone who has been touched by this tragedy. We lament and mourn with our Asian community. We must stand firmly with our Asian community to eradicate the toxic stew of racism, misogyny, violence, and hatred. We must invest in long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence and hate in our communities.

As we learn more about the shooting of March 16, we are careful to check our sources, particularly if they are rooted in social media or aimed at a certain world view. We are troubled by the fact that the shooter considered the women who worked at a massage spa to be a sexual temptation he needed to eliminate because of his Christian faith. It grieves me, my friends, that the Christian faith we profess and proclaim can be twisted and deformed in ways that give rise to violence. Regardless of theology, we must dismiss the idea that God wants men to dominate or kill other human beings. It is critical that we continue to raise awareness of how women are objectified and are left vulnerable to gender-based violence.

Hate is not rooted in social media. Hate is rooted in the devaluing of other human beings and when we fail to recognize that every person is created in the image of God. My friends, when we give oxygen to what is negative and destructive, it feeds the flames of division and hatred like a forest fire. But when we give oxygen to what is life-giving, it turns us toward the way of Jesus and God's way of love, kindness, mercy, compassion, and justice. So, what oxygen are you giving out?

My friends, creation will continue groaning until all hatred, prejudice, murder, and divisions cease. Therefore, we must not stop praying and working for justice, healing, peace, and truth-telling. May we continue to recommit ourselves to following in the of way Jesus, the way that leads to healing, justice, and love. May Christ, who is our peace, be our peace.

In Hope and Peace,

Rev Miriam Méndez,
Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor