15 Jul

Honoring the Memory of Trayvon Martin

trayvonjusticeIn response to the jury’s verdict in the case against George Zimmerman, faith leaders in the Florida Council of Churches have issued the following statement on July 15, 2013. Note: co-signers will be added as requested.

And the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! Genesis 4:10

All things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18

So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

25 Feb

Church Leaders Pray with Governor

As part of Florida Advocacy Days and Children’s Week, four church leaders and I met and prayed with Governor Crist on Tuesday, March 26. Led by Bishop Timothy Whitaker (Florida Conference, United Methodist Church), the group also included Bishop Leeland (Alabama Panhandle Conference, United Methodist Church),  and the Rev. Wilma Israel (President, Florida District, Southern Province of the Moravian Unity). Together, we prayed through Bishop Whitaker’s words in thanksgiving for […]

25 Feb

Lenten Advocacy

For the first time, I attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington DC (www.advocacydays.org) this past weekend and visited congressional offices to speak up for issues I have come to believe in. While I’ve often supported advocacy in principle and even admired some people for taking strong stances, I’ve not really embraced it as a proper church activity. Too many examples of brazen partisanship by a few have made me shy […]

25 Feb

Faith Values in Public Life

Some folks wonder why we should be active as people of faith in public life. Lots of good reasons can be listed. There are those who’ve decided to use a form of Christianity as a political weapon, and they may be setting cultural opinions about what Christianity is all about. My convictions are otherwise. Read  the following about religion as a political weapon: http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/4366/jesus_hates_taxes%3A_biblical_capitalism_created_fertile_anti-union_soil My public witness is founded upon […]

24 Feb

The Martin Statement

Download PDF Statement of Support for the Martin Family and Call for Just Prosecution On behalf of our churches, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family of Trayvon Martin. The promise of his young life in no way deserved to be ended by a gunshot within sight of his father’s front door on February 26, 2012. We pray for the family’s peace of mind in knowing of […]

24 Feb

One in Grief, One in Hope

In response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 14, 2012, faith leaders of the judicatory offices of members of the Florida Council of Churches released the following statement today. Clergy in the State are invited to co-sign the statement. The faith leaders urge communities of faith to engage in serious and intentional holy conversation on how Christians should give an account of the hope that they have […]

24 Feb

Witness

  The Council’s network of churches includes nearly a million Floridians in some 2300 congregations lifting up the Gospel across Florida. The Council addresses issues that have broad support among the member church leaders.