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 The Death Penalty and Kelly Gissendaner |
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This past Monday, the state of Georgia was scheduled to execute its first female inmate since 1945, Kelly Gissendaner. Kelly has been in jail since 1998, when she was convicted of co-conspiring with her boyfriend to kill her husband. The events that took place were brutal. Kelly has since "accepted responsibility for her actions" and has expressed "deep remorse about the pain she has caused."
Since her imprisonment, Kelly has found mercy and forgiveness through spiritual study and practice. In 2010, she enrolled in a theology studies program for prisoners, established by a group of Atlanta area seminaries. This program has introduced Kelly to some of the world's most prominent theologians and has helped rehabilitate her in ways unimaginable. In her recently denied clemency appeal, a prison warden even described her "calming effect on women who were suicidal or had mental illness."
Throughout the country this past Sunday, many preachers took to the pulpit in support of Kelly's life and in opposition to the death penalty. At St. Bartholomew's Church in midtown Manhattan, Union Seminary President Rev Dr. Serene Jones brought to light Kelly's story and discussed the stain the death penalty leaves on our faith and our country. You can listen to her sermon here.
In the hours that followed, thousands and thousands of tweets, stories, and petitions swept the country. On Monday, Georgia faith leaders delivered over 50,000 petitions to stop Kelly's impending execution. Miraculously, whether through science, human will, or divine intervention, the execution was delayed. For now, the power of love, mercy, and reconciliation have won. But the fight isn't over.
Here's what you can do to help.
Finally, let us remember that all lives on death row matter. Kelly's story may have caught our attention, but there are many still on death row that need to be fought for. The inherent value of these inmates as children of God are worth more than any crime they have committed. Let us stand up and yell for our black and Latino brothers and sisters just as strongly as we have for Kelly.
SOURCES: NYTimes, Inquisitr. , NYC/ABC7
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What's going on around EPF and the Young Adult Network
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Wanted: EPF Treasurer
EPF is seeking a treasurer. Are you feeling called to be more active with EPF? This volunteer position could be just the thing for you.
As treasurer, you would be responsible for overseeing EPF's financial activities, including income and revenue, expenses and disbursements, payroll, assets and investments.
You would need to be able to commit to some monthly, semi-annual, and annual duties, such as financial reports and budget planning.
This is a great opportunity for a young adult with a background in business, finance or accounting. To see the entire job description, CLICK HERE.
To express interest and learn more, contact Executive Director Allison Liles directly at epf@epfnational.org.
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General Convention
Application Update
For the past 2 months, we have been accepting applications for our Young Adult presence at this summer's General Convention.
UPDATE: On March 1, our application period came to an end. Thank you to all who applied! We are overwhelmed by the number of strong, enthusiastic applicants.
In the coming weeks, we will be contacting applicants with our next steps. We thank you for your patience as we move forward.
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Closing Prayer
--Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J.
God of Compassion,
You let your rain fall on the just and the unjust.
Expand and deepen our hearts
so that we may love as You love,
even those among us
who have caused the greatest pain by taking life.
For there is in our land a great cry for vengeance
as we fill up death rows and kill the killers
in the name of justice, in the name of peace.
Jesus, our brother,
you suffered execution at the hands of the state
but you did not let hatred overcome you.
Help us to reach out to victims of violence
so that our enduing love may help them heal.
Holy Spirit of God,
You strengthen us in the struggle for justice.
Help us to work tirelessly
for the abolition of state-sanctioned death
and to renew our society in its very heart
so that violence will be no more. Amen.
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