In February, Bishop Robin Dease served as Chaplain for the Day in the State Senate. She offered a heartfelt message to the Senators and closed in prayer for our elected leaders.
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The same day, North Georgia United Methodists participated in an Advocacy Day at the Georgia State Capitol organized by Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Called "Ring Around the Capital," the event aimed to bring attention to an issue before Georgia state legislators—ending the death penalty for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Participants had an opportunity to engage with lawmakers on the matter and to meet the three sponsors of the bill.
The day began at Trinity United Methodist Church in Atlanta and ended with a press conference on the capital steps. That afternoon bells tolled at three nearby congregations.
This work is close to the heart of United Methodists. Our Social Principles call on United Methodists to oppose the death penalty. Additionally, the 2016 North Georgia Annual Conference passed two resolutions supporting the abolition of the death penalty in Georgia—A Resolution Calling for Prayer and A Resolution Advocating to End the Death Penalty.
Read Bishop Dease's message and prayer, after being introduced and welcomed by Senator Sally Harrell:
You mentioned there were 13 siblings in my family. Two parents in the home together raising and nurturing 13 kids.
And yet, when my mother was suffering from Leukemia and Alzheimer’s, I came to the realization 13 children could not take care of ONE parent. My siblings and I could not agree or decide together how my mother could be best cared for in her latter days. Whenever human beings gather to work or to play to worship or to serve, to live or to die, politics are at work.
Who will lead? Whose voices will be heard? Who voice will we heed? Whose opinions do we ignore? Who has to be placated or satisfied before other options can be considered? Who has the power to make the final decision?
Politics! It is the way we organize ourselves within a community and the power dynamics operating in that organization. The community may be a corporation, a city, a university, a church, or even a family. My friends, politics can never be separated from our daily living.
So as a religious leader, one who is called to speak on behalf of the least of these, I gather with you today because the church is not separated from society, politics, and our everyday life together. Let us pray…
Gracious and Loving God,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the leaders You have placed in positions of authority. We lift up these political leaders to You, asking for Your divine guidance, wisdom, and strength as they navigate the complexities of governance here in this great state.
Grant them the courage to stand for justice and righteousness, even in the face of adversity. May they be inspired by those who have gone before them who have shown unwavering faith, resilience, and compassion in their leadership.
Help them to listen to the voices of the marginalized and oppressed, and to act with empathy and fairness.
Lord, we pray for unity and collaboration among our leaders, that they may work together for the common good, setting aside differences and finding common ground. Protect them from corruption and the temptations of power, and fill their hearts with a genuine desire to serve.
We ask for Your blessing upon our nation and its leaders, that they may lead with courage, humility, and a steadfast commitment to justice and equality. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
North Georgia Annual Conference website
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