"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived under the
shadow of death: on them light has shined.” —Isaiah 9:2

We, the elected leaders of First and Central Presbyterian Church, are compelled by our Creator
to shine a light in the darkness, at this time of deep darkness in the United States of America.
 
We are compelled to shine a light of hope for those in despair:
● We shine a light for the poor and homeless, who find a welcome here.
● We shine a light for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially our Trans kin who are being
singled out for persecution.
● And especially at this time, we shine a light for our immigrant and refugee neighbors,
who came to this country seeking a better life for themselves and their families, and most
especially for refugees who were specifically granted refugee status to escape the
shadow of persecution and death in their home countries.
● And finally we shine a light for peaceful protestors who desire to stand up against the
policies of persecution, intimidation, and violence toward our neighbors.
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We are compelled to shine a light into the darkness to reveal the inhumane practices of the
current federal administration:
● We shine a light on the hateful speech that devalues and dehumanizes our immigrant
neighbors, especially People of Color. These are our neighbors, and not “the worst of the
worst,” hateful words repeatedly stated from the highest office in the land.
● We shine a light on the lawless and violent tactics of intimidation unleashed by our
federal government and intended to terrorize populations in order to extort legally
protected personal data on the citizens of states that oppose the administration’s
actions.
● We shine a light on the flagrant violation of constitutional rights by federal law
enforcement agencies, including the rights to free speech and assembly, the rights of a
free press, the right of private citizens to carry firearms, the right to due process of law,
and the right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures.
● And finally we shine the strongest light on those blasphemers who claim to be Christians
while trampling the teachings of Jesus, the Christ, under their feet in their lust for power
and wealth. This includes not only politicians but the business leaders who support the
administration’s actions in disregard of our faith’s call to help the poor, to heal the sick,
and to love both stranger and friend.
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The United States of America is not, by decree, a Christian nation, but we would be well served
to remember the teachings of Christ as we serve one another and our country.

”Rise! Shine! For your light has come!” —Isaiah 60:1
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Stuart Butterfield, Patty Irwin, Ellen Oiler, Mark Olson, Ellen Roberts,
Jesse Rodgers, Sarah Ryan, David Teager, Karl Zipf, Elders.
Jeanette Zipf, Clerk of Session
Rev. Kate Morgan, Moderator of Session