Statement from President Martin on events of Jan. 6, 2021

(Email from President Dan Martin to the SPU community on the events in the nation's capital on Jan. 6, 2021.)

We all witnessed and were gripped by the events and images from the day’s events in our nation’s capital – scenes that prompted a range of emotion in me from shock to grief. It was certainly a time where I spent much of the afternoon in prayer for our nation and our collective future. What unfolded before us today is a far cry from the value placed on lawful protest, and the orderly and peaceful transition of power that is built into our democratic election process. As a nation and as a local community we will be deeply processing this in the coming days. As an academic community of faith, it is part of our mission to proactively engage in civil discourse and action that promotes a greater sense of community and, together, address the critical issues facing our country.  

We are committed to our Christian faith and to the belief in the transforming power of God to work in the minds and hearts of all people, and, as such, Chaplain Lisa Ishihara has organized a time for us to gather virtually as a community:

Thursday, January 7, 9 a.m.
Instagram Live @spu_umin or www.instagram.com/spu_umin
OR
Thursday, January 7, noon on Zoom

Whether you are able to join in this community time together or not, please pray for each other and for our nation’s leaders during this time of presidential transition in our country. May we be inspired and challenged to be motivated by the gospel message of Christ’s reconciliation of all things, particularly now as we witness such need for reconciliation and working for the common good of this country. 

Dan

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” (Hebrews 10:23)

Posted: Wednesday, January 6, 2021