Actively Working for Justice and Restoration of All Creation
We believe that Jesus calls the Church to love all our neighbors by actively working to dismantle racism and other forms of injustice against marginalized groups, such as LGBTQI+ people, immigrants, and others. We recognize that our silence in the face of the oppression of others is complicity, and we confess and repent for the ways in which we have contributed to the suffering of others. Placentia Presbyterian Church commits to listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we actively work for justice and the restoration of all creation.
May 17, 2022
This last weekend we were witnesses to two tragic events involving shootings. One across the country in Buffalo, NY. The other down the 5 freeway a few minutes from us. One a racially motivated attack on a black community. The other a nationalist attack against a Taiwanese community. Eleven of God’s children were lost to our world in these senseless and violent acts.
The following is a statement from the Co-Moderators of our denomination the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in response to these events. While it doesn’t propose a policy, nor do they speak for anyone but themselves, it’s important to hear other voices. Their outrage should be our outrage.
STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST RACISM
STATEMENTS AND RESOURCES
PPC joins with our larger Presbyterian community in condemning the sin of racism and confessing the need for systemic change.
Placentia Presbyterian Church has an over one-hundred-year history of standing for the marginalized and oppressed as taught by Jesus in the Gospel. We proudly continue in that tradition today.
We know that statements are not enough. PPC’s leaders are committed to exploring how we can learn in this awakening and be transformed by the power of Christ.
We encourage you to prayerfully meditate on these powerful resources and statements from our denomination and beyond.
Presbyterians Affirm Black Lives Matter
https://www.pcusa.org/weekofaction/#2
A statement from the Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation
https://www.pcusa.org/news/2020/6/25/statement-special-committee-racism-truth-and-recon/
“Moderator’s Letter: Response to Racial Violence & How to Take Action”- A statement from the Moderator of Pacific Presbytery
https://www.pacificpresbytery.org/index.php/2020/06/10/moderators-letter-response-to-racial-violence-how-to-take-action/
“General Presbytery’s Response: Racial Violence & Political Unrest”- A statement from the General Presbytery of Pacific Presbytery
https://www.pacificpresbytery.org/index.php/2020/06/10/general-presbyters-response-racial-violence-political-unrest/
“It is a righteous and holy anger that sees injustice and knows that it is wrong”- A statement from the Executive Director of the PCUSA
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/it-is-a-righteous-and-holy-anger-that-sees-injustice-and-knows-that-it-is-wrong/
“Stated Clerk Remembers Victims of Racial Violence: J. Herbert Nelson, II Calls for Change”- A brief video from the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)
https://www.pcusa.org/news/2020/5/29/stated-clerk-remembers-recent-victims-racial-viole/
“Racism and the Church: Where Do We Go from Here?”
https://youtu.be/Nzu4b2sA_H0
Facing Racism: PC(USA) Policy
In 2016, the 222nd General Assembly approved a new churchwide antiracism policy: Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community. The policy includes background information, with historical references and theological rationale.
https://facing-racism.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/facing_racism/resources/facing-racism-policy.pdf
