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 the love of God which surpasses death and for justice to be pursued in this tragic mishap so that it does not happen to another family anywhere in Florida.
Trayvon’s death was unwarranted. Florida should be a place where a person of any color can walk in a neighborhood without fear of violence or being presumed a suspicious threat. Florida should be a place where the use of deadly force is rare and uncommon. Florida should also be a place where the misuse of deadly force is not tolerated.
We call upon law enforcement in Sanford to pursue justice in this matter with deliberate effectiveness. The investigation into Trayvon Martin’s death should proceed swiftly without racial bias so that the matter is not continually tried in the media. The Martin family and the community at large need protection from vigilantism and assurance that Florida’s streets are open to all people without respect to the color of their skin. We call upon Sanford authorities to take actions that demonstrate both racial fairness and concern for the safety of the community.
Rev. Kent J. Siladi, Conference Minister, United Church of Christ in Florida
Bishop Leo Frade, Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida
Archdeacon J. Fritz Bazin, Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida
Bishop Chuck Leigh, Apostolic Catholic Church
Bishop Edward R. Benoway, Florida-Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Timothy Whitaker, Florida Area Resident Bishop, The United Methodist Church
Rev. Willie Israel, Moravian Church Southern Province, Florida District
Rev. Dr. Paige McRight, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Central Florida, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Dustin Lemke, Quaker Representative, Society of Friends (SEYM)
Presiding Bishop James E. McCoy, Alabama/Florida Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Robert Watkins, Florida Mission Center President, Community of Christ
Fr. Richard Doscher, Ecumenical Representative, Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
Rev. W. Harvey Jenkins, Executive Presbyter (Retired), Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. W. Harvey Jenkins, Executive Presbyter (Retired), Presbyterian Church (USA)
Martha R. Beach, District Executive Minister, Church of the Brethren
Rev. Juan Rodriguez, Regional Minister, Christian Church in Florida (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Juan Rodriguez, Regional Minister, Christian Church in Florida (Disciples of Christ)
Bishop McKinley Young, 11th District, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Raymond Johnson, Ph. D., Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowhip of Florida
Issued March 21, 2012.
Other Faith Leaders may join the statement by completing the form below. The list is updated several times throughout the day, as we are able. If your name has not appeared within 24 hours, please contact us. Questions? Contact the Rev. Russell Meyer.
235 signatures as of April 2, 2012.
| Rev. Russell L. Meyer | Executive Director, Florida Council of Churches |
| Abdul Karim Ali | Chairman, Tampa Bay Area Muslim Association, Inc. |
| Alex Becker | Seminary Student |
| Bishop H. M. Beesley | Retired – Church of God, Cleveland, TN. |
| Cheryl Stuart | Vice President, Florida-Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Connie Schmucker | Associate in Ministry, ELCA |
| Dr. Robert E. Palin | Interim Minister, Faith United Church of Christ, Dunedin |
| Dr. Ronald M. Patterson | Sr. Minister, Naples United Church of Christ |
| Dr. Sherie A. Lindamood | Worship Minister, First Congregational Church of Winter Park |
| Fred & Tienka Fourie | Minister |
| Glennyce Grindstaff | Ordained Pastor of the United Church of Christ |
| Harlan Johnson | Member, Emmanuel Lutheran, Rockford, IL & board of EALA |
| Imam Askia Muhammad Aquil | President, Muslim American Criminal Justice Association, Inc. |
| Martha R. Beach | District Executive Minister, Church of the Brethren |
| Mary E Nutter | layperson |
| MKGrindstaff | CrossRoads UCC Melbourne |
| Pastor Donna Cooney | United Church of Christ of St. Augustine |
| Pastor Jacques Mervil | Shalom Center Ministry United Church of Christ Jacksonville FL |
| Phil Garrison | Pastor, St. Andrew United Church of Christ, Sarasota |
| Rev. Abhi Janamanchi | Senior Minister, Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater |
| Rev. Andrew Tengwall | Pastor, Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo MI / Vice President, European-American Lutheran Association |
| Rev. Brenda E. Adcock | Pastor, University Congregational Church of Orlando |
| Rev. Bryan G. Fulwider | Sr. Minister, First Congregational Church of Winter Park |
| Rev. Catherine L. Alder | Pastor of Christ’s Way Church, Portland, Oregon |
| Rev. Catherine O’Connell | Associate Pastor, Naples United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Charles L. Nichols | Palliative Care Chaplain, United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Dale A. Hempen | Retired United Church of Christ clergy |
| Rev. Dianne Hudder | Clergy, United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Dr. Bill Wealand | Disaster Ministry Coordinator, Florida Conference United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Dr. David R. Pitt | Chaplain All Children’s Hospital |
| Rev. Dr. Jim Boler | United Church of Christ retired clergy |
| Rev. Dr. Laurinda Hafner | Senior Pastor, Coral Gables United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Dr. Raymond Hargrove | Florida Conference United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Dr. Robert D. Sichta | Senior Pastor, Congregational UCC, Bradenton, FL |
| Rev. Dr. Robert Melhorn | Pastor, Altamonte Chapel |
| Rev. Dr. Sharon G. Austin | South Central District Superintendent, FL Conference, The United Methodist Church |
| Rev. Dr. Sheila Guillaume | Union Congregational, United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Dr. William B. Trexler | Former Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA |
| Rev. George Miller | Pastor, Emmanuel United Church of Christ |
| Rev. James A. Langdoc | Pastor, United Church of Christ, Holiday, FL. |
| Rev. Jill Job Saxby | Executive Director, Maine Council of Churches |
| Rev. Jim Rapp | Pastor, Church of the Isles UCC, Indian Rocks Beach |
| Rev. John S. Hillmer | Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Tampa |
| Rev. Karen Curtis-Weakley | Pastor, New Hope United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Leigh McCaffrey | Interim Pastor, United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Linda D. Girouex | Pastor, Riverside United Church of Christ, Jacksonville, FL |
| Rev. Lynn Fonfara | Pastor, Hope Lutheran Church, Citrus Springs, Florida |
| Rev. Mardie J. Chapman | Board Certified Chaplain, United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Mark I. Hamilton | Pastor, New Port Richey, FL |
| Rev. Nancy Prout | Chaplain, Good Shepherd Hospice |
| Rev. Phyllis Parthemer | Co Pastor Union Congregational UCC West Palm Beach |
| Rev. Sandra Jones | Pastor/Mission Developer, Iglesia Luterana Manantial de Vida |
| Rev. Steve Heath | Pastor, Union Congregational UCC, Holly Hill |
| Rev. Timothy S. Smiley | United Methodist Church |
| Sandy Cencebaugh | Licensed Minister, 1st UCC Hollywood, Florida |
| Paul Werner | Licensed Minister, First United Church of Tampa |
| Rev. Fred Thomas-Breitfeld | Pastor, Jackson Park Lutheran, Milwaukee, WI |
| Jean Simpson | United Church of Christ |
| Deacon Beverly Slaughterbeck | Deacon/Worship/Christian Education Lutheran Church of the Holy Cross |
| Susan E. Myers RN | liberal |
| David Dick | United Church Of Gainesville |
| Marsha Ruff | Member, First Christian Church, Ocala |
| Saeed Khan | Muslim, Layperson |
| Rev. Ashley B. Nicolls | ELCA |
| Rev. Dr. Lawrence Boudon | Pastor, St. James Lutheran Church, Coral Gables, Fl |
| Danette Braun | Parish Administrator, Kingo Lutheran Church, Shorewood, Wi |
| Rev. Warren Williams | Sr. Pastor – Atonement Lutheran Church, Racine, Wi |
| Pr. Michael Vinson | ELCA Pastor |
| Rev. Justin Dittrich | Pastor, Nativity Lutheran Church Mpls Mn |
| Rev Lura N. Groen | Grace Ev Lutheran Church, ELCA |
| Rev. Diane Roth | Lutheran Minister |
| Rev. Jay M. Carlson | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church In America |
| Revd Jonathon Moyers | Priest In The Old Catholic Tradition |
| Rev. Jonathan Niketh | Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Lynn, Ma |
| Rev. Wanda Childs | ELCA |
| Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson | Pastor, ELCA |
| Rev. Angela Shannon | ELCA Rostered Pastor |
| Rev. Aimee Appell | Pastor, Peace Lutheran Church |
| Rev. Robert C. Brown | Pastor, Coronado Community UMC, New Smyrna Beach, FL |
| Rev. Dr. Paula Hepola-Anderson | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church In America |
| Josephine Posillico | UCC |
| The Rev. Angela Khabeb | Pastor |
| The Rev. Chris Duckworth | Senior Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Saint Paul, Mn |
| Rev. John Longworth | Ecumenical Representative for New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Sarah Olson | member, Cross Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI |
| The Rev. Brian E. Klawiter-Benton | pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Rev. Tom Brenner | UCC Minister |
| Pastor Pamela Mason | Campbell Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Denver CO |
| Rev. John Stiles | Clergy |
| Angela Nelson | ELCA Seminary Student |
| The Rev. James E. Boline | Pastor, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, CA |
| Justin Thornburgh | Seminarian, North Shore Baptist Church (American Baptist Churches-USA) |
| Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey | Companion Synod Relations, Elca |
| Charles Brummond | pastor in the Greater Milwaukee Synod–ELCA |
| Rev. Andrea L. Walker | Pastor ELCA |
| Peder Hinderlie | Lutheran |
| Marjorie Pagel | Member, Whitnall Park Lutheran Church, Hales Corners ELCA |
| James Coffin | Executive Director, Interfaith Council of Central Florida |
| Donald Gleiter | Lutheran Vicar |
| Mark Schroeter | organist, ELCA, Ascension Lutheran Church Milwaukee, WI |
| Dennis Schultz | Associate in Ministry, Cedarburg, Wi. |
| Pastor James Erlandson | Pastor, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul, MN |
| Rev. Jason Korthauer | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Philip M. Kober, JD, MD, PhD | member, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Monona, WI |
| Rev Glen A Sea | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Rev. Jeanette D. Leisk | Associate Pastor, St. James Lutheran Church (ELCA), Gettysburg, PA |
| Yvette M. NewberryWhite | Seminarian, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Sally L. Wilke | Senior Seminarian, Candidate for Ordained Ministry, ELCA |
| Emily Ewing | Seminarian at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago |
| Rev. Mona Fitch-Elliott | Pastor |
| Rev. Dr. Michael Ryugen Moriarty | Zen Monk, Brevard Zen Center & Interfaith Council of Central Florida |
| Chris Honig | ELCA Seminarian |
| Rev. Rochelle E. Lewis | Pastor |
| Judith Roberts | Director for Racial Justice, ELCA |
| Rev. Linda Orsen | Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Eastmont, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Phyllis Fludd White | Council President of Lamb of God Lutheran Church – Haines City, Fl. |
| Kendrah Fredricksen | Lutheran (ELCA) |
| Rev. Susan M. Strouse | Pastor, First United Lutheran, San Francisco |
| Pastor Barry Hoerz | ELCA pastor, Mayville, WI |
| Rev. Kathy Schmitz | Minister, First Unitarian Church of Orlando |
| Rev. Deborah Butler | Pastor, Hope Lutheran Church, El Sobrante CA (ELCA) |
| Alicia Corley | ELCA |
| Rev. Dr. Kathy Rooke | UCC Pastor of Faith Family Community Church |
| Stephanie A. Walker Stradford | Youth Achievers USA Institute, Faith-Based Public Charity |
| Elizabeth Flomo | Member, Christ Lutheran on Capitol Hill, St. Paul, MN |
| Rev. Jacquie Lewis | Pastor – United Church of Christ, Hospice chaplain |
| The Reverend Susan R. Masters | Pastor, Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church, Minneapolis |
| Rev. Matthew Titus | Pastor, All Saints Lutheran Church (ELCA), Mason, MI |
| Rev. Naomi Sorrwar-Randall | ELCA Pastor |
| Chuck Ruehle | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Erin Martinson | Clergy (ELCA) |
| Rev. James O’Reilly-Christensen | Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church, (ELCA) Grafton, WI |
| Rev. Dr. Gary M. Simpson | Professor of Systematic Theology, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN |
| Kay M. MacDowell | ELCA layperson |
| Rev. Jeffrey B. Ziegler | Interim Pastor, SEPA Synod, ELCA |
| Rev. Dr. Richard Stewart | Assoc. Prof. Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, retired |
| Rev. Lee Ann M. Pomrenke | Pastor, River of Life Lutheran, Minneapolis, MN |
| Rev. Ruth Jensen-Forbell | Senior Pastor, FirstCoast Metropolitan Community Church, St. Augustine |
| Rev. Pam Northrup | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt | Pastor, Trinity Metropolitan Community Church of Gainesville |
| Rev. Lisa Heilig | Interim Pastor, Joy Metropolitan Community Church Orlando |
| Rev. Dr. Nancy L. Wilson | Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches |
| Rev. Dr. Candace R. Shultis | MCC |
| Rev. Susan Schneider | Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, WI |
| The Rev. Dr. Keith A. Spencer | Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Pembroke Pines, FL |
| Rev. Robert A. Franek | Pastor, Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA), Wataga, IL |
| Pastor Albert Starr,Jr. | Program Director for African Descent Ministries ELCA |
| Bishop W. James Thomas, II | General Overseer, The Apostolic Covenant of Churches International, Inc |
| Laura Hall-Schordje | ELCA Seminarian |
| Rev. Priscilla Austin | Pastor, Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, Phoneix, AZ |
| Rev. Mark Fischer | Pastor at St. Martin Lutheran Church |
| Peggy Brockmann | Mission Developer, Waterfront Community Church; Jersey City NJ |
| Pastors Janet Grill | Lutheran Pastor |
| Pastors Keith Grill | Lutheran Pastor |
| Rev. Thomas Terrell | Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Chicago IL |
| Rev. Renwick J. Bell | Pastor, Church of Our Savior, MCC |
| Timothy James Brown | Reverend, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Rev. Joyce A. Miller | ELCA pastor/hospital chaplain |
| Rev. Gary LaCroix | Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Cape Coral, FL – ELCA |
| Rev Victoria Hamilton | Co-Pastor, St. JohnELCA |
| Joyce Gulliford | ELCA First Call Candidate |
| Martha H. Gardner | Lay-Leader, Kelly’s Chapel UMC |
| The Rev. Fritz Wendt | Assistant Pastor, St Paul’s, Bronx NY |
| Rev. Anne Roser | Co-Pastor, Nativity Lutheran Church, North Conway NH |
| Carolyn Hellerich | ELCA Interim minister, St. Paul, NE |
| Rev. Marie N. Duquette | Clergy |
| Matthew Brockmeier | Secretary, Greater Milwaukee Synod, ELCA |
| Rev. Jayne M. Thompson | ELCA Campus Pastor, University Lutheran Church of the Epiphany, St. Cloud, MN |
| Rev. Beverly Duncan | Assistant Minister, Naples UCC |
| Mozella G. Mitchell | Pastor, Love of Christ A.M.E. Zion Church, Brandon, FL |
| The Rev. Kimberly S. Conway | Pastor |
| Paul Bauman | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Pastor |
| Rev. Eunice Woodberry | ELCA |
| Rev. Dr. Byron J. Grayson | Pastor, St. Jude AME Church, Germantown, MD |
| Rev. Charley Garrison | Pastor, Central Texas Metropolitan Community Church |
| Rev. Chewee Hughley | Minister in Standing |
| Rev. Dr. Damon Laaker | Pastor, Grace Lutheran; Director, Lutheran Metro Ministry |
| Rev. Dianne M. Shaw | Staff Pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of Portland |
| Rev. Erwin A. Lopez | Local Pastor of the United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Fl |
| Rev. Steven Torrence | Pastor Metropolitan Community Church Key West |
| Tom Simmons | Deacon, Seminarian |
| Rev. Dr. Randolph W.B. Becker | Minister – One Island Family, the Southernmost Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Key West |
| Rev. Mark E. Reynolds | United Methodist Minister |
| Rev. Dr. Renee DuBose | Pastor – Our Hope Metropolitan Community Church |
| Rev. Peter Trabaris | Member, North Central Network Team, Metropolitan Community Churches |
| Presiding Elder C. Jessel Strong | African Methodist Episcopal |
| Rev. Carol Chambers | Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches |
| Rev. Dexter Brecht | Pastor |
| Rev. Pat Farnan | Resurrection MCC, Houston, TX |
| Rev. John Ransom | Ecumenical Liaison, State of Florida, MCC |
| Rev. Jon Haack | Senior Pastor, Promise Metropolitan Community Church, Dallas, TX |
| Rev. Dr. Robin H. Gorsline | Pastor |
| Charles Malllicote | Florida Sonrise Emmaus Community |
| Rev. Dr. Sherman G. Hicks | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace, Ph.D. | Seminary Professor |
| Rev. Jeffrey B Kantz | Pastor – FUMC Lake Wales |
| Rev. Km Uchimura | United Methodist Pastor |
| Rev. David W. Schoob | Pastor Trinity Lutheran Church West Bend, WI |
| Rev. Sue H. Corley | United Methodist Clergy, Florida Conference |
| Rev. Michael Diaz | Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church |
| Rev. Guido Benazet | United Methodist Church |
| Rev. Angel Christ | United Methodist Church |
| Rev. Debbie Moss | Minister, Unity of Tampa |
| Rev. Dr. Georgeann Tyler Pringle | Pastor & Adjunct Professor, Good Hope AME Church, Cope, SC |
| Rev. Jennifer Casey | ELCA |
| Rev. M. Allen Moss | Minister |
| YouthUSA.net | Faith-based Positive Youth Development |
| Rev. Michael Leslie | Minister |
| Rev. Diane Hodges | Elder |
| Ms. Carolyn Thomas-Kamara | Member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church, Wets Chester, Pa |
| Rev. Sharon Davis | Pastor, Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, Tampa, FL |
| Adrienne Young | Executive Director, Tree of Hope, Alliance Church |
| Rev. Dr. Elias Bouboutsis | Greek Orthodox Delegate, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA |
| Harry Wilkins | |
| Susan Carter | Presbyterian |
| Rev. Ronald S. Johnson | Pastor of Cordova Baptist Church |
| Rev Susan Rippert | Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Bishop Steve Rosczewski | ECC Diocese of Florida |
| Rev. Craig Mears | Apostolic Catholic Church |
| Reverend Sue Clark | Interfaith Minister / Equality and Human Rights Advocate |
| Rev. Kenneth N.Nelson | Pastor, Seneca Community Church (ICCC) |
| Rev. Tom Holdcraft | Pastor |
| Rev. Ann M. Phillips | Chaplain |
| Dr. Carlan Helgeson | Senior Pastor of Spring Hill United Church of Christ |
| Harlan Johnson | Board member, European American Lutheran Association |
| W. Mark Clark | Associate General Minister, United Church of Christ |
| Rev. Crystal Davis Jones | Executive Pastor, Fort Washington Christian Church, Maryland |
| Rev. Dr. Richard J. Perry, Jr. | Associate Professor, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (ELCA) |
| The Rev. Debra A. Hepburn, M.Div. | Staff Chaplain @ Gainesville, FL |
| Wayne T. Morris | ELCA and volunteer for ReconcilingWorks – Lutherans for full participation |