Sometimes the Spirit’s timing feels downright intentional. Long before federal authorities would assume control of Washington, D.C., policing, our sermon calendar had us turning to Paul’s words about “the peace of God which is beyond all understanding.”
This Sunday we’ll engage the kind of peace that runs deeper than emotional tranquility. It’s the peace that sustained Jesus as he wept over Jerusalem, the peace that held him as he overturned tables in the temple, the peace that accompanied him to the Cross.
Julie Pennington-Russell
This ancient promise of peace that “stands guard” meets us here as our city faces profound uncertainty. Like many of you, I’ve been unsettled by the president’s decision to declare a “crime emergency” in D.C. and assert federal authority over Washington — at a time when violent crime in the city is at a 30-year low, and without meaningful consultation with our mayor and local leaders.
All of us carry the weight of violence in our world — from local shootings to global conflicts, from domestic abuse to mass tragedies. No community is untouched by this epidemic of harm. But governance by intimidation rather than collaboration feels more like occupation than partnership.
“Governance by intimidation rather than collaboration feels more like occupation than partnership.”
The peace of God does not ask us to be silent in the face of injustice or poor governance. It doesn’t tell us to close our eyes when forces intimidate our immigrant and unhoused neighbors. Instead, it grounds us in something deeper than fear or reactivity. The peace of God invites us to respond with purpose rather than react from anger or fear.
How do we live from this peace when our city feels occupied?
- We name the real problems with courage. Yes, our city needs continued work on public safety. Yes, any violence against our neighbors demands our attention. And yes, undermining local democratic leadership while bypassing collaborative planning also is a serious problem. The peace of Christ allows us to hold multiple truths at once without choosing sides in false dilemmas.
- We prioritize the most vulnerable. Any honest discussion of public safety must begin with those who face danger from multiple directions — both from crime and from aggressive enforcement tactics that too often target poor people, immigrants and our Black and brown neighbors. The peace of Christ keeps asking: Who suffers most when we get this wrong?
- We pray for the people around us. In addition to general prayers for “peace in our city,” we can entrust to God:
- Families grieving loved ones lost to violence
- Police officers and community leaders trying to build trust
- Elected officials making difficult decisions under pressure
- Federal personnel who didn’t choose this assignment
- Neighbors feeling afraid on multiple fronts
- We resist fear that seeks to divide us. Fear is a powerful political tool, but it’s a poor foundation for policy. The peace that passes understanding allows us to acknowledge real problems while resisting solutions rooted in intimidation or scapegoating.
- We speak and act with hope. In these anxious and polarized times, we remain people of resurrection hope. First Baptist Church has long believed that following Christ means engaging the world around us with both prophetic courage and tender compassion. This means continuing to work for the flourishing of our city and all who call it home, even when (especially when) the path forward seems unclear.
The peace of Christ isn’t passive. It flows naturally and endlessly from the living presence of God. Friends, may we be people who carry Christ’s peace into every conversation about our city’s future, speaking truth with love and refusing to let fear have the last word.
Julie Pennington-Russell serves as senior pastor at First Baptist Church of the City of Washington. This column originally was a letter to her congregation on Wednesday, Aug. 13.