Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). As Christians in the Greater Rome area, we affirm this core teaching and principle of the Christian faith. Conversely, anything that breeds hatred or division is contrary to our shared Christian faith.
With a united voice, we condemn the ideology of the National Socialist Movement and their neo‐Nazi message of racism and hatred. We are deeply disappointed that this group intends to hold a rally on April 23rd in our community.
Furthermore, we recognize that the National Socialist Movement seeks publicity and attention. They hope for a counter rally and perhaps even conflict between their group and our citizens. Were this to happen, the group would receive even more publicity and attain one of its rally goals. A climate of agitation may exist, which can easily turn to violence as evidenced so recently in Anaheim, CA. We pray and hope that any in the Rome community who intend to counter protest will make compassion and grace the forefront of their event.
We commit to pray for the members of the National Socialist Movement, for our faith affirms that even the hardest heart may be transformed by the power of God’s redeeming love. We reject the provocation offered by the presence of the National Socialist Movement and further commit ourselves to work towards justice in the spirit of compassion as Jesus taught.
On April 23rd, the day of the neo‐Nazi rally, we encourage all Romans to ignore the National Socialist Movement’s presence in our community and to intentionally practice acts of compassion, encouragement, kindness and forgiveness. Collectively, our community will speak a message of love to counter their message of hatred.
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; Love illuminates it.” ‐ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Signed in Hope and Love,
Rev. Chris Barbieri, United Methodist Church (Deacon At-Large)
[If clergy, please include the name of your congregation when signing]
Updates
March 26, 2016
I have spent my mornings praying over the names on this list and reflecting on why our community needs to remain steady in the face of these provocations. The silence from local leadership is weighing on me but it confirms that our quiet commitment to love is the only path forward. We are preparing to send these signatures to the mayor because our message of grace must be witnessed by those in power.
March 26, 2016
Seeing this groundswell of support confirms that our community chooses love over hatred. Your commitment to these values proves that we are stronger when we remain unified in grace.
20 Comments
Pray that God will lighten their hearts and give them love and acceptance of all in place of hatred and prejudice. Proud of my fellow Romans who stand by this letter.
Our community has always been open and inclusive it saddens me to see these people paint us with their hate and prejudice.
We are all created in the image of God. He knew us when we were yet in our Mother's womb and his command of us is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Here we are working to overcome those historical barriers which have divided us and to truly become One Community United.
St Paul AMEC. " Love is the only Weapon that can turn an enemy into a friend, Dr. MLK, Jr."
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." -Galatians 3:28
We need to simply be kind to each other... be kind.
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
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Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). As Christians in the Greater Rome area, we affirm this core teaching and principle of the Christian faith. Conversely, anything that breeds hatred or division is contrary to our shared Christian faith.
With a united voice, we condemn the ideology of the National Socialist Movement and their neo‐Nazi message of racism and hatred. We are deeply disappointed that this group intends to hold a rally on April 23rd in our community.
Furthermore, we recognize that the National Socialist Movement seeks publicity and attention. They hope for a counter rally and perhaps even conflict between their group and our citizens. Were this to happen, the group would receive even more publicity and attain one of its rally goals. A climate of agitation may exist, which can easily turn to violence as evidenced so recently in Anaheim, CA. We pray and hope that any in the Rome community who intend to counter protest will make compassion and grace the forefront of their event.
We commit to pray for the members of the National Socialist Movement, for our faith affirms that even the hardest heart may be transformed by the power of God’s redeeming love. We reject the provocation offered by the presence of the National Socialist Movement and further commit ourselves to work towards justice in the spirit of compassion as Jesus taught.
On April 23rd, the day of the neo‐Nazi rally, we encourage all Romans to ignore the National Socialist Movement’s presence in our community and to intentionally practice acts of compassion, encouragement, kindness and forgiveness. Collectively, our community will speak a message of love to counter their message of hatred.
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; Love illuminates it.” ‐ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Signed in Hope and Love,
Rev. Chris Barbieri, United Methodist Church (Deacon At-Large)
[If clergy, please include the name of your congregation when signing]
Updates
March 26, 2016
I have spent my mornings praying over the names on this list and reflecting on why our community needs to remain steady in the face of these provocations. The silence from local leadership is weighing on me but it confirms that our quiet commitment to love is the only path forward. We are preparing to send these signatures to the mayor because our message of grace must be witnessed by those in power.
March 26, 2016
Seeing this groundswell of support confirms that our community chooses love over hatred. Your commitment to these values proves that we are stronger when we remain unified in grace.
20 Comments
"Love is patient and Love is kind... love does not delight in evil...love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13
Pray that God will lighten their hearts and give them love and acceptance of all in place of hatred and prejudice. Proud of my fellow Romans who stand by this letter.
Our community has always been open and inclusive it saddens me to see these people paint us with their hate and prejudice.
We are all created in the image of God. He knew us when we were yet in our Mother's womb and his command of us is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Here we are working to overcome those historical barriers which have divided us and to truly become One Community United.
St Paul AMEC. " Love is the only Weapon that can turn an enemy into a friend, Dr. MLK, Jr."
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." -Galatians 3:28
We need to simply be kind to each other... be kind.
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
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"Love is patient and Love is kind... love does not delight in evil...love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13