Dear Butler Community,

We, the undersigned clergy, are heartbroken by the racial unrest in our nation.

We wholeheartedly believe that “God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them.” Genesis 1:27, CEB

Each person carries within them the image of the divine, and all are equally beloved by God. This includes people of all races.

We take seriously the sentiment of many who, like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., are deeply disappointed with white religious leaders and who have “wept over the laxity of the church” (“Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” 1963).

In our failure to explicitly speak out and stand up for those who are mistreated because of the color of their skin, we have been complicit.

Therefore, we hereby publicly state that we unequivocally stand against racism in all its forms.

We commit ourselves to education and to action personally, within our congregations, and in the broader community.

To our siblings of color: We see you.

We apologize for the ways that what we have said and done, and what we have left unsaid and undone, have hurt you.

We affirm your whole worth and identity as beautiful creations of God.

As we continue to grow and learn together, may we have grace and understanding, pausing to listen and understand.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Leigh Benish, pastor, Hill United Presbyterian Church, Butler

The Rev. Joel A. Benson, pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Butler

The Rev. Dr. Verna Call, retired

The Rev. William (B.T.) Gilligan, pastor, Nixon United Methodist Church, Butler

Cantor Michal Gray-Schaffer, Congregation B’nai Abraham, Butler

The Rev. Dr. Tom Harmon, pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Evans City

Fr. David Hicks, rector, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Butler

The Rev. David D. Janz, First United Methodist Church, Butler

The Rev. Dr. Mary Kitchen, pastor, North and East Butler Presbyterian Churches

The Rev. Merry Meloy, pastor, Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church, Butler

The Rev. Ron Schmerhorn, pastor, Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, Butler

The Rev. John C. R. Silbert, pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Butler

The Rev. Bonnie J. C. Taylor, pastor, Faith United and West Sunbury Presbyterian Churches

The Rev. Kimberly van Driel, pastor, First English Lutheran Church, Butler