Let justice roll down like waters

To the South Georgia Conference,

As jury selection and the trial for those accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery begins today, it brings up different emotions and feelings in all of us. The video and story surrounding Ahmaud’s murder captured the nation’s attention. During the trial, the nation and the world will be tuning in. Brunswick, Georgia will be the stage as the trial progresses and an eventual verdict is reached. So many lives have been affected. More will be as the trial unfolds, concludes, and a verdict is reached.

As your Bishop, I would like to call all of us - the body of Christ - to a deep place of prayer. The scripture the Holy Spirit keeps moving me to pray comes from the prophet Amos. The vision that came to Amos, used by many leaders past and present, would be fulfilled, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24 NRSV) 

Everyone wants justice. Yet we are reminded in times like these that we live in an unjust world. As followers of Jesus, we are reminded that mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love must abound amid the injustices of this world. However, we must strive to eliminate the injustices that continue to happen to people, especially people of color.

During my time with you as your Bishop, I want to lead in a way that continues the work of the South Georgia Conference as we strive to do our part to change systems of injustice and help see the vision of the prophet Amos fulfilled. You'll hear more details soon, but our next step in this process is forming a Coalition for Disrupting and Dismantling Racism.

In the meantime, I call upon all of us to pray, reflecting on the words of the prophet Amos, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

It is an honor to serve with you.

In Christ,

David Graves