Clergy members of The Florida Conference,
 
I want to offer some thoughts that I hope will help you as you speak in worship services about the attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life.
 
We do not know the motivations behind this deplorable act. But understanding those motivations would not diminish the harm caused to those killed and injured or their loved ones who grieve in this hour. Nor would it lessen the damage to the fabric of our society that occurs when anyone commits such violence, especially when directed at a candidate in a Presidential election. It is important that the church call its members and the community in which it is located to be instruments of peace, especially in such divided times. 
 
I am praying for you at this time, trusting that God will guide you to help people consider the harm done by acts of violence in our country, which can turn people against each other and diminish the unity of our nation. In a moment like this, it is difficult to know what to say, how to make sense of a senseless act.
 
 Willis Tate, president of Southern Methodist University, spoke in a University Convocation on Nov. 26, 1963, following the murder of President John F. Kennedy. Speaking of the role of the church in a time of violence that claimed Kennedy’s life, he stated:
 
“Wherever there is a sin and injustice, the church must call us to repentance.
Wherever there is hatred, fear and suspicion, the church must call us to repentance and reconciliation. Wherever there is lethargy and disloyalty through inaction to our noble faith, the church must call us to repentance and action.”
 
I hope you will be clear that violence toward candidates or elected officials is repugnant, and unacceptable in our democracy.
I encourage you to consider leading your congregation in praying:

• for the victims of this violence, that their loved ones would be cared for and that those wounded would experience healing. 
• for the safety of Donald Trump, for the safety of President Biden and any who offer themselves as elected and civic leaders.
• for the safety of Secret Service agents and all law enforcement who put themselves in harm’s way every day
• for our country.  Let this be the beginning of a movement of peace, not an escalation of violence.

Finally, I encourage you to remember the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians, where he reminds us that part of our role as Christ followers is to have a ministry and message of reconciliation for all people.
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

In Christ,
Bishop Tom Berlin

John 14:27

²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:7

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. These are only three of hundred of verses in the bible reminding us about peace