Many members of Messiah-Trinity Church in Louisville have family and friends still in South Sudan. The reports they have received are truly sad and sobering. The Rev. Deacon Daniel Kuol has learned that of seven family members he was unable to contact for weeks, six of those have been murdered in the violence.  Daniel's wife Deborah has thankfully learned that her grandparents are alive, being spared by rebel forces who entered their home threatening violence. Family who are hiding in the bush continue to risk their lives to bring them food during the cover of night. These examples come from just one family, and others here can share similar heartbreaking stories.

The Episcopal Church is participating in weekly conference calls where information is shared. Participants in these calls include officials from dioceses in companion relationships, particularly the Diocese of Bor where great violence and devastation has occurred. Representatives of various provinces round the Anglican Communion, and the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative are all working together to share information, help with communication issues, work to support the cease-fire and organizing relief for the innocent children, women, and men caught in this conflict. Here in this diocese, Canon Coultas has participated in these calls, and has been in touch with Senator McConnell's office sharing the stories we have heard. The Anglican Cathedral in Bor City, along with the hospital there, has been used as a base by the rebels to inflict atrocities, and Anglican lay ministers and deacons and priests have been captured and killed as they care for the wounded, work for peace, and try to feed the hungry, especially those too young or too old to provide for themselves.

I ask you to pray. I do not presume to understand the complexities of the political realities, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to respect life, for all are made in the image of God. As Deacon Daniel has said, "We are Christians. We do not take sides. We must be peacemakers between those who are fighting." Please pray for an end to this violence and killing. Pray for those grieving, for those orphaned, for the wounded. Pray for the half million South Sudanese displaced from their homes by this fighting. Pray for all people of goodwill working to spare the innocent, and pray for the Church in South Sudan. 

Below you will find a letter from Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial of the Diocese of Aweil to the leaders of South Sudan calling on them to work for peace and reconciliation.