Aloma UMC in Orlando Sentinel

Posted on March 30, 2012 - 3:38pm in Church News

Aloma UMC's Pastor Andy Searles had the opportunity to give his feedback on the recent Travyon Martin case unfolding in neighboring Sanford, FL. See what he had to say below: 

New Episcopal bishop's debut: Marching for Trayvon

March 30, 2012|By Jeff Kunerth, Orlando Sentinel

Two days after he was consecrated as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, Gregory Brewer was marching Monday with the crowd demanding justice for Trayvon Martin.

He was the only white clergyman to address the Sanford City Commission inside the Civic Center that evening, urging city leaders to address the concerns of the black community.

"I thought it was very courageous," said Andy Searles, a pastor with Aloma United Methodist Church in Winter Park. "It would have been very easy for him to sit in his office and organize the paperwork on his desk, but he made a statement of what the church should be."

Brewer characterized it not as an act of courage but as one of faith and commitment to his diocese, which covers 15 counties and has 31,000 Episcopalians. It was the most direct way for him to make a public statement about what kind of Episcopal bishop he intends to be.

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