To the New England Synod,

Like you, I have been overwhelmed with what we have witnessed in our nations’ capitol. As one of my colleagues recently put it, “we are all in a state of collective Trauma.” I have spent time in the Psalms where the range of human responses to world events are well articulated. Lament, anger, grief, despair, longing for justice, longing for peace; it’s all there, in those Psalms and in my heart. Please know that I have great admiration of the sermons our Pastors and Deacons have delivered this past weekend. You have spoken words that both articulate the gospel and speak to our times. Thank you. On Friday, the member denominations of the National Council of Churches (including the ELCA) released this statement, which I believe captures well my thoughts in these days.

Bishop James Hazelwood, New England Synod ELCA

January 8, 2021

Our faith instructs us to take seriously positions of leadership, not to lead others astray and to be careful about what we say and do. In Philippians 2:3-4 we are taught to, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”

President Donald J. Trump’s actions and words have endangered the security of the country and its institutions of government by inciting a violent, deadly, seditious mob attack at the U.S. Capitol. His words and actions have placed the lives of the people he is supposed to serve in grave danger to advance his own interests. Further, he not only failed to stop or condemn the attack after the Capitol had been stormed but instead encouraged the mob by calling them patriots. This domestic terrorist attack resulted in at least five deaths, including a Capitol Police Officer, and more than a dozen police officers injured. The desecration of the Capitol building was also disgraceful and reprehensible.

For the good of the nation, so that we might end the current horror and prepare the way for binding up the nation’s wounds, we, as leaders of the member communions of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), believe the time has come for the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to resign his position immediately. If he is unwilling to resign, we urge you to exercise the options provided by our democratic system.

In addition, we recognize the need to hold responsible not only those who invaded the Capitol, but also those who supported and/or promoted the President’s false claims about the election, or made their own false accusations.

We grieve for our country at this difficult time and continue to pray for the safety and security, and ultimately the healing of our nation. Holding those who have abused their power and participated in these immoral and tragic actions accountable, in particular the President of the United States, is one step toward healing.