Events within our political landscape have turned the eyes and hearts of our nation once again to a grave issue that in truth is apolitical—the alarmingly widespread sexual harassment and abuse of women.

We at Christ United Methodist Church stand for the equal treatment of women in all places within our society. We applaud the many women who have spoken out and empowered so many through the #metoo movement. We also mourn that so many women throughout time have experienced, and continue to experience, abuse and harassment.

The global United Methodist Church condemns sexual violence of any kind in our Book of Discipline, which states,

Sexual assault is wrong. We affirm the right of all people to live free from such assaults, encourage efforts of law enforcement to prosecute such crimes, and condemn rape in any form. It does not matter where the person is, what the person is wearing, whether or not he or she is intoxicated, if he or she is flirtatious, what is the victim’s gender, or any other circumstance. (¶ 161.2 P)

In Genesis 16, a slave named Hagar encounters God in the desert and calls God “El Roi,” which means “the one who sees me.” As followers of God, we are called to do likewise. To those who have experienced abuse, we at Christ UMC want you to know that God sees you and that God loves you.

We strive to be a place where all can feel welcome, seen, loved, equal in the eyes of God, and safe. In that spirit we call on our community, congregation, and staff to take time to reflect, pray, listen, look, repent, stand with the oppressed, and above all…love.

Let us take this opportunity to help the Holy Spirit fill the broken spaces within our society and within our own selves, so that we may be made whole through Christ.

If you are the victim of a sexual assault please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 and know that the ministry team here at Christ UMC is available to provide support, resources, and referrals for counseling.

In Jesus’ Love,

The clergy staff of Christ United Methodist Church, Franklin, TN:

Rev. Adam Kelchner

Rev. Anne Hook

Rev. Paul Bonner

Rev. Scott Marshall-Kimball

Rev. Mark Price