North Creek Presbyterian Church Session

Racial Justice & Healing Statement

To guide the discernment and decision-making of the elected leaders of the congregation

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. . .You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There are no commandments greater than these. —Mark 12:30-31

Racial Injustice is wrong and is a sin. At the same time, responding with violence, targeting people and property, is also wrong and a sin.

We, the Session of North Creek Presbyterian Church, recognize that the issues of racial justice and healing have emerged as core concerns. We believe that the Bible and our theological confessions speak to these issues and how God desires us to live as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

We reach out to people of color seeking to listen, learn, and understand (James 1:19 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry)

We celebrate the racial, ethnic and cultural differences among us without those differences dividing us in Christ (Revelation 5:9b …with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.).

We desire to live into the vision of Revelation 7:9b, with peoples “…from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne” in unity.

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. —Colossians 3:12-15

(November 2020 – Racial Justice & Healing Taskforce

Dan Clark, Jeff Jensen, Joe Upton, Minna Dimmick, Steve Giboney, Tal Anderson, Callie Carmean)

Click on the link for a PDF: Session Statement