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Yesterday, January 6, 2021, armed insurgents raided and occupied the United States Capitol with the goal of disrupting the constitutionally mandated certification of the 2020 presidential election. They waved Confederate flags, held signs and wore costumes brandishing claims of “Holy Bible” righteousness, racism, hatred, and vitriol, and left messages of the same in their wake as they defaced, looted and damaged congressional buildings and other property.

They abused and harassed members of our faith community who had peacefully assembled outside a house of worship to stand in prayerful vigil during their march. They came at the urging of a president who has consistently incited violence and atrocities against minority groups within this country as well as any individuals who opposed him.

The congregation of All Saints Lutheran Church in Bowie, Md., and its Just Grace Committee denounce these shameful actions. As vowed in our “Resolution on Racial Justice,” “we oppose racism in all its forms and the injustice and inequality that proceed from it.” We renounce white supremacy, bigotry, and violence in all of its forms. We denounce the double standard that allowed a majority white mob to take control of the seat of US government with little resistance from law enforcement while peaceful Black and brown protestors are shot, maimed, and killed for standing up for their right to life and protection before the law.

As followers of Christ, we are guided by the Holy Scriptures to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed” so that we “will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) In this spirit, we denounce the actions of all who would commit violence and perpetuate hate and untruth, declaring such actions to be contrary to the will of God.

We mourn with the families of the four persons killed as a result of yesterday’s insurrection. We mourn with a country sorely wounded by ongoing systemic racism, oppression, and violence. We call for the perpetrators of yesterday’s violence to be held to the fullest account under the law. We demand that policymakers, those in positions of power and authority, and all people regardless of political affiliation or ideology stand for justice, peace, and equality.

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The Just Grace Committee was established in 2018 by the congregation of All Saints Lutheran Church, Bowie, Md. Just Grace advocates for racial and social justice through education, facilitating the difficult conversations that lead to change, and working within the congregation and surrounding communities to dismantle systemic racism.

For further information, please see the statement of Metro DC Synod Bishop Leila Ortiz: http://metrodcelca.org/ftbd162021/