We were early adopters of the Pray Without Ceasing (PWC) ministry opportunity. When I suggested PWC, some shared that praying for thirty whole minutes seemed like a very large hill to climb. Folks were nervous, asking, “What will we do for thirty minutes? Will there be awkward silence? Is this even Lutheran?”

How can we stand “close enough” to Presiding Bishop-Elect Curry and Secretary-Elect Mills? What is our call as ELCA Lutheran Christians to love, support, and protect our newly called leaders?

From the depth of my heart, I beg readers not to say, “I can’t believe it! This can’t be true! That would never happen in my church," ... Instead, “I see you; I believe you,” is a more faithful and compassionate response to the violence of racism perpetuated in our churches.