March 19, 2021
As we turn over another page on the calendar and enter the one-year mark of drastic lifestyle changes due to COVID-19, we are saddened to see a surge in hate crimes and prejudice toward Asian communities in New York City and across the country. Our country has a long-standing history of prejudice against many ethnicities. But bigotry should not be acceptable in any form in our society. It must stop. Even within the walls of Trinity we have seen insensitivity towards those of minority cultures. We confess and lament that we have not loved each other as we are called to in the Scriptures.
What can we do as representatives of Christ?
We can:
- stand in solidarity with all Asian Americans. We ask our church body to join us in supporting these communities as difficult and hurtful experiences are exposed.
- pray for people who experience these hate crimes (Romans 12:15) and we also pray for those whose hurtful behavior reveals their own hurting hearts (Matthew 5:44).
- ask the Holy Spirit to help us: renew our minds (Romans 12:2), love God and hate evil (Psalm 97:10), and love others with the love of God (1 John 4:7).
In sincere love,
Trinity’s Racial Reconciliation Task Force
P.S. Here is a resource to help us support our Asian American brothers and sisters: the Asian American Christian Collaborative