All is not well in Philadelphia right now. Our neighborhood has been facing huge challenges in the throes of COVID-19. The recent killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor (among many others), have caused outrage and indignation to boil over.

We are witnessing a lot of anger and violence in our neighborhood. The police are here, and yes, we’ve seen local property destroyed. Pray for the peace of Kensington – the peace that springs from true equity and justice. Black lives matter, and we know that they have not mattered in our country for far too long.

At The Simple Way, we are working to wage peace and solidarity. We have participated in peaceful demonstrations to call attention to the racial injustice plaguing communities like ours. Especially since local stores have been damaged, we are working overtime to keep our food distribution going consistently.

More than anything, we are all spending a lot of time listening. As a racially diverse staff and neighborhood, we know that the realities of oppression touch us in vastly different ways. These killings and demonstrations are ripping wounds and griefs open for our black brothers and sisters. We want to be with them well.

We invite you to choose one way to act today as a means of loving God and loving your neighbor. Please reach out to us if you need to talk more or have questions. We want to hold space for you in these raw times. And now more than ever, your support and encouragement keeps us going and brings us great joy and hope.