A Pastoral Message

On Antisemitism

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Last weekend, a number of antisemitic flyers were anonymously distributed in Sussex, the most recent in a series of troubling incidents of this nature. The Cooperating Churches of Sussex have issued a letter, included below, and I am grateful for their witness to the power of love overcoming hatred. I invite pastors, deacons, and leaders across the synod to reach out to their Jewish neighbors to reaffirm our commitment to stand with them whenever hatred and bigotry emerges. I also invite congregations to spend time learning more about the history of Lutheran-Jewish relations, taking advantage of the resources located here.

 

In Christ,
Bishop Paul Erickson

A Response to Anti-Semitic Propaganda in Sussex:

The recent sowing of hate over the weekend of August 4th in Sussex through the distribution of antisemitic propaganda is alarming, unacceptable, indefensible, and dangerous. Caustic to all who encounter its noxious ideology, it is necessary to name it as the poison it is and that Christian clergy do so. The Cooperating Churches of Sussex stand together against this corrosive messaging of antisemitism and with one voice:

  • We condemn acts of hate, hateful messaging, and scapegoating of any group of people with respect to religion, race, gender, sexual identity, or any other characteristic in Sussex and every community.
  • We support, honor, and depend on our Jewish neighbors.
  • We support, honor, and depend on our neighbors of any other religion, denomination, or no religion.
  • We are united in our ecumenical witness to the undeniable necessity and beauty of human interconnectedness and our yearning to grow in relationship with one another through love.
On most days the unity and support we share with one another is implicit but there are seasons when that unity and support must be made explicit. The Cooperating Churches of Sussex are unified against antisemitism and we raise our voices in solidarity with those targeted and we offer our love, support, and care.

In Peace,
The Cooperating Churches of Sussex (CCOS)

Rev. Julie M. Eklund, CCOS President
Pastor, Redeemer United Church of Christ

Rev. Michael Anderson
Pastor, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church

Rev. Jim Altman
Pastor, Sussex United Methodist Church

Rev. Mary Jane Huber
Pastor, St. John’s UCC