May 25, 2022 | A Message from Bishop LaTrelle Easterling
After receiving the devastating news of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, I needed to
take a breath. I took some time for tears, I took a moment for anger, I took a while for
reflection. But on this day after the school shooting, the sadness, rage, and so many
questions linger. I certainly pray for the 19 children and two teachers who were killed, as
well as their families. I pray for the communities who have been traumatized by this
devastation. I pray for the first responders and medical personnel who have to live with
these haunting images. I pray for the family of the 18-year-old gunman and the utter
torment they must feel. And, as I pray, my prayers keep drawing me back to the
senselessness of these mass shootings that have become too commonplace in our nation.
It’s not far from my thoughts that today is the second anniversary of the death of George
Floyd. The injustice and all that unfolded after that tragedy still reverberates. And, the fact
of the matter is there are now more guns in this nation than people. I agree with President
Biden that it is time to turn our pain into action.
Jesus stated in the Gospel of John that he came in order that all may have life, indeed that
all may live life to the fullest. As we pray, lament and shed tears, we must also demand that
our elected officials find a balance between the constitutional right to bear arms and the
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is unfathomable that our children
continue to bear the burden of indecision, inaction and political cowardice.
As we look to our political leaders to live into their responsibilities, we as Christ-followers
must also live into our baptismal vows. We must seek the courage to speak out and act
against hatred, against violence, against all the oppressive evils that swirl through our
culture, already creating the conditions for the next mass shooting. We must work to create
a world in which all people are valued as beloved children of God. This is how we put feet
to our prayers.
In memory of those killed at Robb Elementary School, I call upon all the churches of the
Baltimore-Washington Conference to take time in worship this Sunday to pray for the
events that unfolded in Uvalde. I also call on each church to intentionally take some action
to address the violence that threatens the heart of our country.
Our tears, anger, questions and prayers will guide us, but let us also be guided by hope, by
justice and the unwavering belief that we worship a powerful God of transforming love.
Blessings and Peace,
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling
Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences
The United Methodist Church