Recently, the Bishop of my Synod, Michael Rinehart, encouraged all our churches to pray for Coptic Christians facing persecution in Egypt, Libya, and elsewhere. He also sent a letter to the Coptic Orthodox Churches located in our synod. St. John's Lutheran joined in praying for these persecuted Christians, but I wanted to take it a step further and so we sent our own letter.
It wasn't that the Bishop's letter was insufficient. Rather I wanted our congregation's voice to be added to his. In this way, the Coptic Community here in Texas might know that this wasn't just a public statement made by a Bishop, but a heartfelt stand that many Lutherans are taking with our Christian brethren as they face a danger we never have to face. I invited all our members to sign the letter this weekend and it will be sent to St. Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Houston this week.
I share it here for those members of St. John's who were not present to sign it, and as a show of public support. This murder and/or persecution of any person for simply having different faith from the majority is unacceptable. This is our small way of standing against such violence and oppression. Below is the letter.
Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
It is with sadness that I
write to offer our support and prayers for your community and for the whole of
the Coptic Orthodox Church. The violence that Coptic Christians face in Egypt, Libya
Syria and elsewhere is heart wrenching but the faith they show in response to
such threats is amazing, in its stamina and fearlessness. We at St. John’s are
deeply grieved by the murder of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya and the
persecution that many Christians face at the hands of ISIS and other terrorist
groups.
As Lutherans we seek to stand with all Christians facing violence, abuse and death. We work and pray for their protection and we hope for a day when all of God’s creation can live freely in peace. There are Lutherans in the military, our government, and in relief agencies around the world working towards this end. While we at St. John’s in Bellville cannot be there on the front lines, we want you to know that we stand in public solidarity with your congregation and with the whole Coptic Church. We continue to hold you in prayer and we offer our support as well. On behalf of our congregation, I pray that God gives the martyred eternal rest and peace and that their families are comforted in their grief and anger. May God bless your congregation as you continue to witness to the Gospel of Christ our Lord. Amen
Peace
and Blessings,
Rev. Andrew J. Bell
& the Congregation of St. John Lutheran Church, ELCA
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