SocialJustice
Social Justice

Seeking Peace and Justice

We are inviting our Butler Church family and friends to engage in the work of peaceMAKING by engaging issues of social justice. At the heart of peacemaking is God’s desire for justice. Below you will find resources for a time of prayer, study and reflection, as well as further resources you can explore on the issues of justice, reconciliation, and racism. This is meant to be an accessible way to begin to think more deeply on these issues and consider how we can move forward as peacemakers with Jesus.  
March 2021 Update: Recent events have revealed once again the brokenness of our world and the horrible effects of racism and hate. As a church we absolutely rebuke and stand against the sins of racism and hate in all forms, including the verbal and physical violence that has increased towards our Asian community. We stand with our Asian brothers and sisters in our church, our community, and beyond. As a church we remain committed to the work of peacemaking. 
 What does the Bible mean when it talks about “Justice”?
Justice is a major topic in scripture. More than that, it is the heart of God for his creation. Here is a great summary and visual explanation by The Bible Project. Below are additional resources to assist individuals and small groups in our justice journey together.
Prayer of Confession

O God, who created and loves all people,

We come before you today confessing the sin of racism in our country, our church and in ourselves. Forgive us for our part in it, for the ways we have contributed to the oppression of others whether knowingly or unknowingly.

We want to be different and for our nation to be different, but it is hard when we face the injustice of institutions as well as the prejudice in ourselves.

Help us to see the reality of racism and bigotry wherever it exists and to have the courage to challenge it. Through your Holy Spirit, may we be given the grace and power to change within ourselves and also, to join with others to do the work of love and justice in the world; to move toward the goal of bringing an end to racism.  

Through the name of your son, Jesus, who came for all people,
Amen.

--Heather Burtch, member, WPAUMC Anti-Racism Team
Study & Scripture
Here are just a few scriptures addressing justice in the bible:
Proverbs 31:8–9 (NLT) 
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; 
ensure justice for those being crushed. 
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, 
and see that they get justice. 

Psalm 146:7–9 (NLT) 
7 He gives justice to the oppressed 
and food to the hungry. 
The Lord frees the prisoners. 
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 
The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. 
The Lord loves the godly. 
9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us. 
He cares for the orphans and widows, 
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. 
Jeremiah 22:3 (NLT) 
3 This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent! 

Micah 6:8 (NLT) 
8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, 
and this is what he requires of you: 
to do what is right, to love mercy, 
and to walk humbly with your God. 

Search the word “justice” on biblegateway.com 
for many more.  

Jesus was the very embodiment of God’s heart for Peace & Justice. He says it very clearly here: 
 
Luke 4:16–21 (NLT)
16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. 
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, 
that the blind will see, 
that the oppressed will be set free, 
19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” 
20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” 

Take time to consider these passages of scripture. Re-read them. Listen for God’s voice, his directing of your thoughts and attitudes.

- What does justice look like to God? How is that the same or different from how you understand it?

- Who are the oppressed; the hungry, the widows, orphans, and foreigners among us today?

- What does the life and ministry of Jesus reveal about peacemaking and justice?

- Invite God to reveal his heart for those suffering injustices of racism today.
   o Ask for his help to understand their struggle.
   o Ask for his guidance to know how to respond. 

- Revisit the Prayer of Confession, praying it again.

Next Steps
Along with prayer and reflection, we want to move into action when it comes to joining God in peacemaking and in seeking justice. Take time to become more aware of injustice experienced by the Black community and people of color. These resources can help inform you about the many issues surrounding racism and the practical ways we can join in the work of peacemaking for our community.

Here are a few resources to get you started:

BOOKS
by Latasha Morrison

by Brenda Salter McNeil 

MOVIES
Just Mercy     13th      Selma 

VIDEO
Live video conversation hosted by Saint Rest Baptist Church, Fresno | June 2020

Webinar hosted by USMB. | June 2020 

MORE

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