For Such a Time as This: A Statement from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville
For Such a Time as This
At this critical moment in our nation, we face profound threats to our democracy, the rule of law, the rules-based international order, and even the authentic expression of our Christian faith. The gravity of these threats is underscored by this administration’s capricious and unaccountable acts of war abroad and by its lawless, coercive interventions at home.
A government of “might makes right” violates human decency and basic rights with impunity. Abducting, detaining, and deporting our fellow human beings without due process, and holding individuals, families, and children in inhumane conditions in massive warehouses and detention centers is a moral stain upon our nation. The promotion of conspiracy theories, falsehoods, and disinformation through social media and by government officials fosters hate, division, and polarization. The normalization of cruelty and vengeance endangers our common spirit of empathy and kindness. Many of these actions are being justified by white “Christian” nationalism. This ideology espouses that some groups are superior to others, fosters a resurgence of antisemitism and racial animus, and conflates allegiance to a political movement with faith in Christ.
We have a choice: remain silent and submit, or raise our voices.
We “choose this day whom we will serve.” [2] We reject the co-opting of the Christian faith by those who claim it to promote actions “counter to God’s hope for the world and how God seeks for us to make our life together”.[3] We resolve to follow Christ’s example and speak truth to power. We renounce the idolatrous love of coercive power. We uphold the power of Christ’s love, which moves us to embrace generosity, compassion, and shared flourishing.
Our ultimate allegiance is to God, who stands with the weak and challenges those who abuse their earthly power.[4] This God loves all and calls upon us to honor the dignity and sacred worth of every person created in God’s own image[5]. The God whom we trust is love embodied in Jesus, who responded to human need with compassion, welcomed all to the table, and called us to love our neighbor as ourselves - no exceptions.[6]
Our allegiance is not to any contrived human category, be it race, ethnicity, place of birth, sexual orientation, gender identity, ideology, political leader, or nation. We follow Christ in solidarity with all who are marginalized or vulnerable. We stand with those labeled as “other,” the “enemy within,” “undesirable,” and targeted by state-sanctioned violence and terror.[7]
For such a time as this, we commit to listening to the needs of those most impacted by the abuses of this administration and by those who espouse white Christian nationalist ideology. We will stand with, support, and protect our neighbors. We will resist effectively, creatively, and peacefully the forces that terrorize our neighbors. We are inspired by communities, activists, and young people who stand firm against intimidation and arbitrary force and have come together to care for their neighbors. Strengthened by their witness, and compelled by our faith, we join with all people of goodwill, whatever their religion or belief, and commit to acting with nonviolent, courageous love in this moment.
The Session, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, Virginia
[1] Book of Esther 4:14 See Hannah Reichel, For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional (2025) [2] Joshua 24:15 [3] Statement from the Session, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, MN [4] Luke 1:46, 55; 4:18-19 [5] Luke 6:20-23, Matthew 25: 31-45 [6] Luke 14: 15-24, 10:25-37, Mark 12:28-34 [7] Leviticus 19:3-34, Matthew 25:35; see also the “Belhar Confession” (1986) in The Book of Confessions (The Presbyterian Church, USA) which affirms that God is the God of the destitute, poor, and the wronged, and for this reason the church should stand by people in any form of suffering.
Please see full statement here.