Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In these anxious and fractious times, as children of God who is the source of love and peace, we are called to lead our communities to be spaces of refuge and sanctuary.
I am sure most of us are already engaged in manifold ways in our local communities, particularly in reaching out to fellow sisters and brothers from the Muslim community and providing support where it is possible and welcomed. There is no place for Islamophobia, antisemitism and racism. Sadly, they all seem to be converging in the anti-immigrant sentiment being pushed by some in our midst. Prayerfully it needs to be resisted.
As people of prayer, we also cry out to God for peace and understanding among our diverse communities.
To help us, our friends have gathered a few prayer resources that can be used in our community worship and can be used in our personal prayers too. Please use them and encourage others to do the same.
It is my prayer that the misguided people pursuing senseless violence in our midst would realise the futility of their actions. Our posture of hope needs to be shaped by our commitment to work for peace, as Bishop Sarah reminded in her message “together, we must do all we can to look out for and to protect one another.”
May we all strive for Shalom, fullness of life, to all.
Peace,
The Rt Revd Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah
Bishop of Edmonton
