Each Life Matters

You have friends of different heritage right? And you don't see them as any different than yourselves... maybe it is time to see those differences. To ask them to share their stories and experiences with you. Perhaps by seeing the differences and listening we can all begin to heal...

Part way through our first period of restrictions, the world erupted over something unrelated to the pandemic; the abuse of George Floyd. Racism is something we as Christians need to consider and address. The Bible is clear, Back Lives Matter. Because ALL lives matter. We are ALL God’s children.

Each Life Matters – the Blog Series

Our Victorian pastors meet regularly on Zoom, and soon after this ugly incident, before racism had been superseded by the next ‘hot topic’ in the media, they had a lengthy discussion on racism, its existence in our churches and what we can do about it. From this discussion was born a series we have been

posting on social media, on our website and in the weekly e-newsletter that is published by the Conference.

Titled Each Life Matters, we take a look at racism and discrimination, sharing stories from those who have experienced it and from those who want to do something about it. And maybe, out of this, we will get to know our neighbours, to value them and see

them for who they really are. That we will appreciate our differences and love, as Christ loves. And in our own spheres, end the racism that exists.

If you haven’t come across our series yet, check it out at vic.adventist.org.au/ each-life-matters-2/ where we feature Lorraine Roberts, Nathan Brown and Jayneen Orwa to name a few.

Pandemic of Racism

As we saw in Australia, the BLM movement became about much more than just injustice to African Americans. The Adventist Record shared an article by Darren Garlett on what this means to our own Indigenous community. As this edition was released during lockdown, you may not have read it. Here is some of what he said.

“Here in Australia the injustice called out by the protests is something Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are well acquainted with. Racism is real. It continues to plague our society. People are hurt by racism and when they see others going through racism, they join in and support, to bring the issue to the attention of a wider community audience…” He points out that Racism is a global problem and the South Pacific has not been immune to a history embedded with racial inequality and that the grief of injustice is traumatic and runs deep.

Darren asks how do you know if you are racist, and quotes a study saying three in

four people hold an unconscious racial bias against Indigenous Australians – racism is that insidious. He goes on to look at what we as Seventh-day Adventist Christians can do about the racism in our own backyard, concluding that “racism is real, it’s painful and it hurts people. We have more to gain and achieve if we understand the depth of racism and how it is embedded within our society, our structures and our institutions. Only then can we truly start building bridges that bring people together rather than walls that divide.”

Read Darren’s full article here https:// record.adventistchurch.com/2020/07/03/ pandemic-of-racism/. Why not subscribe so you don’t miss out on news from our church across the South Pacific.

Aussie Table Talk

Luke Farrugia, a church member in Bundaberg, and four of his mates share something in common – a love for Jesus. They run a podcast where they explore faith and a range of issues related to it. They recently aired an episode called Which Lives Matter? Listen to this episode at www.austabletalk.com.au/which-livesmatter/ where five people share their stories, including Kelly Jackman from Victoria.

Statement on Racism

In response to the BLM issue, the Australian Conference President, Pr Jorge Munoz, released this statement:

The recent events in the USA where a man, George Floyd, was killed by a police officer have caused many to feel angered, saddened, and frustrated at the injustice of this death. Many are heavy hearted after watching such an atrocious act on their screens. A man pleading for air who just wanted to breathe. The sense of powerlessness is indeed real.

We feel for those who are mourning and especially for his family. We also pray for the entire country. May God’s Spirit impress the minds and hearts of all to be more like Christ.

In Australia, we too are not exempt from similar issues, and as followers of Jesus we speak against a spirit of racism and of hate.

As followers of Jesus we are called to create spaces where people can breathe freely in every way and feel free from prejudice, burdens and sin.

As followers of Jesus we are called to create environments where others may feel loved, wanted and reconciled in a spirit of unity.

May our hearts be tender and ready to be agents of change in our community and in our country. The need to be more like Christ is needed in our midst as never before.

Pr. Jorge Munoz President

Adventist Church in Australia