As we witnessed the violence in Atlanta this week and the horrific murder of Asian American women and others, our hearts grieve with the families of the victims, and we stand in solidarity with members of the Asian American community and those facing discrimination and hate incidents.  We must speak up against any aggression and we must be active in our pursuit to end racism and discrimination of every kind. We must work to protect the whole community.

The tragedies and violence continue to mount. We grieve as the Psalmists expressed it well.

Psalm 130

Waiting for Divine Redemption

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
2     Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
    to the voice of my supplications!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
    so that you may be revered.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is great power to redeem.
8 It is he who will redeem Israel
    from all its iniquities.