Prayer service at legislative plaza , September 16th, related to scheduled execution date for Daryl Holton
Sept. 19 is the scheduled execution date for Daryl Holton, a Tennessee death row inmate. While recognizing the seriousness and painful consequences of capital crimes, the United Methodist Church has consistently opposed the death penalty as inconsistent with the church’s understanding of human worth and Christ’s work of redemption (see statement below from the 2004 Book of Discipline). In addition, news stories have reported, and studies have shown, the death penalty has been unfairly applied, largely along racial and economic lines.
You are encouraged to lift up this issue in your local church service/publications and find ways you can lift this issue before our society and government. One opportunity would be to participate in a prayer service at legislative plaza from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Also, an ecumenical service will be held at Monday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m. at Holy Name Parish (521 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206). A prayer vigil will held at Riverbend Maximum Security Institute on the night of Monday, Sept. 18. For more information go to the Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing website http://www.tcask.org/index.html.
The 2004 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church states “We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person's life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.”
Grace and Peace
Rev. Jason Brock
Dir. Love and Justice,
Disaster Response Coordinator
Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church
304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
615-695-2753 (office direct)
615-293-8594 (mobile)
615-329-0884 (fax)
jbrock@tnumc.org
You are encouraged to lift up this issue in your local church service/publications and find ways you can lift this issue before our society and government. One opportunity would be to participate in a prayer service at legislative plaza from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Also, an ecumenical service will be held at Monday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m. at Holy Name Parish (521 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206). A prayer vigil will held at Riverbend Maximum Security Institute on the night of Monday, Sept. 18. For more information go to the Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing website http://www.tcask.org/index.html.
The 2004 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church states “We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person's life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.”
Grace and Peace
Rev. Jason Brock
Dir. Love and Justice,
Disaster Response Coordinator
Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church
304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
615-695-2753 (office direct)
615-293-8594 (mobile)
615-329-0884 (fax)
jbrock@tnumc.org
