Hate divides; love unites. That was the word shared by a colleague in Charleston last evening. Across this synod we are deeply saddened by the killing of nine persons at Emanuel AME Church on Wednesday evening as they sat together in a Bible study. The testimony of those nine, the compassionate outpouring of support from the families of those victims, the work of first responders and chaplains, and the outcry and solidarity from people around the world moves us all.

But we are called to a yet more profound response as people of faith. As Bishop Elizabeth Eaton outlines in her response to the killings at Emanuel AME Church, we have soul work to do. I pray that you will join me in taking time this weekend to reflect -- as congregations and as individuals -- on the way that the seedbed of racism, suspicion, jealousy, and fear take root in our own lives and in our communities. And then I pray that you will also join me in taking steps in your life and in our congregations to ensure that the love of Christ unites us in doing the long overdue work we need to do to rout out hatred and violence wherever they have found a home in our lives.

God is merciful and the unfailing love of God binds us together. Bishop Patricia Lull