Dear People of God in Southern Ohio,
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14
A little over two weeks ago, a group of neo-Nazis gathered on an I-75 overpass in Lincoln Heights armed with guns and hateful, racist messages. The community responded by rallying for diversity and welcome, gathering in town meetings, communicating with elected officials, and protecting students from further harm. And then, last Sunday morning, the neighborhood woke to another barrage of hateful statements, this time in the form of flyers bearing the name of the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
Let us be clear: as Episcopalians, as disciples of Jesus Christ, and as Ohioans, we condemn these messages and acts of hate. We stand against racism, against violence, against intimidation of our communities, our friends, and our neighbors.
Let us also be clear: the reality that this most recent display took place in Lincoln Heights is no coincidence. This is a targeted combination of hateful speech and threats.
Lincoln Heights is the first Black self-governing municipality north of the Mason-Dixon line. It was founded in the early 20th century by Black families shut out of home ownership by the racist redlining policies of neighboring Lockland, Wyoming, and Reading. Our own St. Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church in Lincoln Heights is one of four historically Black congregations in our diocese.
Friends, we are once again in a moment where hatred and blatant racist intimidation are and will continue to be prominent. It is essential to our charge as those who seek to embody the Gospel of Jesus Christ and share in the Spirit-led transformation of our communities, that we name hatred when we see it, that we stand united with our neighbors to take action against it, and that we walk forward together toward genuine relationship and love.
Please join our leaders from St. Simon’s in condemning the actions and messages of these hate groups. And please join me, together with Episcopalians across our diocese, in praying for the realization of the Beloved Community and our continued witness of the Good News of God in Christ:
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family – Book of Common Prayer, pg. 815)
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White
X Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
