California-Pacific Conference,

I come to you today as a person of faith, as a United Methodist, as a Christian, and as a Bishop, to say that we have to stand up to violent actions of war in our country. We cannot stand by as messages of hate and annihilation are spread. We need to be about peace and kindness, and care for each other and our world. 

My heart aches every day as reports of violence come across our screens. As actions of leaders inflict death upon civilians, including school children. I join you in crying out against these actions, these senseless deaths. Lord, hear our prayer. 

In these moments, I remind myself that our call from Jesus is clear that we are to love above all else. Our United Methodist social principles also explicitly lay out for us that we deplore war. As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict. 

Take hope. Although these acts of violence can feel far away, and we worry that decision-makers will not listen to their constituents, I encourage you to take action today. Talk to your neighbor. Talk to your friend. Call your congresspeople. Join the effort to create peace in our time. 

Grace y paz,

Bishop Escobedo-Frank