The following letter was released on Friday, March 15:

Today we stand with our Muslim siblings who have experienced unspeakable violence at the attacks in Christchurch New Zealand. Our hearts break as innocent lives are taken at prayer. Lamentation and grief surround those whose lives will never be the same. We are once again reminded that hatred and evil are with us in this life and we cannot stand idly by and accept terror as the way things are in our time.

We invite your prayers for those who have died. We invite your prayers for those who witnessed this horrible violence and those who responded. We invite your prayers of solidarity with our Muslim siblings who gather at mosques across the world today to mourn those who were killed.

Let us be resolute in exercising God’s love and compassion to all of God’s children. Let us be beacons of light and hope and compassion. Let us live the love and justice of Jesus.

The Rev. Kent Siladi
Connecticut Conference Minister

The Rev. Don Remick
Massachusetts Interim Transitional Conference Minister

The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix
Rhode Island Transitional Conference Minister

Related:

“Weep with those who weep:” The Massachusetts Council of Churches grieves attack on Muslims
A letter from The Rev. Jennie Barrett Siegel, President and The Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director

Resources from the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of the shootings