Dear Ones,

I am sure many of you by now have seen the heart-wrenching videos and pictures of migrant children being separated from their parents who cross the U.S.-Mexican border illegally. Regardless of what your political position may be, no one can see these pictures and not be moved. I believe these actions by our government pain the heart of God.
As followers of Jesus, we need to base our lives and our actions as people of the Gospel. As Episcopalians, we pledge as part of our Baptismal Covenant to “…recognize the dignity of every human being.” With this as our grounding, how do we respond? 
I urge you to contact our senators and representatives to Congress to express your concerns. Also, tomorrow, Thursday, June 21, peaceful protest will take place on Boundary Street near the offices of Congressman Mark Sanford in Beaufort from noon to 1:00 PM. (Be sure to bring plenty of water.)
I have included a statement from Bishop Skip as well as a video from the Right Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Both speak to the serious and disturbing events happening on our southern border.

Please pray for the children, their parents, border patrol personnel, and the leaders of our country.

Peace,
Roy+

FROM THE BISHOP:
STATEMENT ON FAMILY SEPARATION

Dear Faithful People of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina,

I trust you are well aware of the issues playing out regarding the separation of families on our borders. Not only does this raise significant political questions, but for us as a people of faith in the living God through Christ, it raises deeply theological ones. As followers of Jesus we must be asking how we respond to present policies that tear at the very fabric of what we hold dear in our national soul, yet even more of who we seek to be as a community who has committed to respect the dignity of every human being, and to seek justice and peace among all people. This is a time to ask, what would Jesus do?

I commend to you the materials offered at the link below. I also hope that you are and will be having conversations in your parishes about what a compassionate, faith-filled response might look like for you personally and as a faith community. May God have mercy on us all.

Faithfully in Christ,
Bishop Skip

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. ” – Mark 12:29-31


PRESIDING BISHOP'S VIDEO MESSAGE

Today is World Refugee Day. Watch the Presiding Bishop's video message for World Refugee Day  here.