Brothers and Sisters,

I want to start this letter off first and foremost asking for your grace. We all see and recognize the hurt and pain that is sweeping through our communities right now, and I honestly cannot pretend as though I know what to say. I have no perfect words, I have no personal experience with discrimination, I have no real way of knowing the thoughts or feelings of our black brothers and sisters in the wake of the death of George Floyd and countless others. The only thing I can say right now is that I love you and that all of us at CCEM love you and will support you however we can. 

The mission of CCEM is, “To Connect and Encourage Christians to Confidently Live out their Faith in the Workplace.” I feel so strongly about this mission because of what it means to be a Christian and what it means to live out our faith. Our first core value as an organization is to “Love All People, for All are Created in the Image of God” (Gen 1:27). We believe that the beginning of faith is, and always has been, love (Jn 3:16, 1 Jn 4:8, 1 Cor 13, etc.). I long for a time where we live with love for others, compassion, and empathy. I long for every person to feel special, to know that they are of infinite value in the eyes of God. I long to see everyone living together with joy, happiness, kindness, gentleness, patience. I long for a broader way of living where there is no oppression or hate, but that we are all filled with love.

Discrimination has no place in a life of love. It is not compatible with who God is and it is not compatible with who we should be as Christians. As followers of Jesus, let us not stand silent in the face of hate, but drown out that hate with love. Let us acknowledge that our world is broken, divided and hurting and let us call out to Jesus for healing and wisdom. Let us be the beginning of a cultural change in our company, our community and our world. Let us begin by aligning with the wisdom of David in Psalm 139:23-24, calling out to The Lord, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

To close this out, I would like to say to our black brothers and sisters once again, I love you. I hurt for your hurt, and I long for peace and justice with you. You are wonderfully made in the image of God (Gen 1:27, Ps 139:14), perfect and holy. I hope that our community can be a comfort and joy for you now, and always. In the name of the one who is perfect in love and hope, Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

CCEM Chair – John Dillon

CCEM Core Team,

Samuel Ortiz, Elizabeth Cook, Janet Shaw, Garrett Shaw, Lenette Laurente

“There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…

Colossians 3:11-12

As we begin to transition back into the workplace, CCEM would like to say welcome back! We recognize that our transition out of quarantine and into the office will be anything but routine and that many of you may have conflicting thoughts and/or feelings on the subject. If so, please know that this is perfectly normal and justified. Each of us is entering this new normal with various personal and professional circumstances which shape our view of the situation. Adding to an already complicated scenario, the current state of our economy, industry, as well as the ongoing social, racial, and political tensions in our communities increases the already heavy burden many of us may be carrying into the office. Thus it is important for us to have a heart for people during this time, and to fervently seek after Jesus for wisdom and guidance.

One item of wisdom that has been on my heart lately comes from Paul in Colossians 3. Paul admonishes us put on a heart of compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience. He asks us to bear with one another (vs 13). In doing so, we model Jesus to each other and our actions can be seen as a form of worship. Furthermore, if we model these same principles to those who are not Christians, we reflect Jesus’s character to the lost, and speak the Gospel message through our actions and our love.

As we return, I ask that we have a heart for our brothers and sisters who may be carrying heavy burdens back into the office. Let us have empathy for each other, show compassion for each other, and help each other. Let us also show that same empathy, compassion and grace to those who do not yet know Jesus, shining His light, and showing them the grace that He shows us. Let us continue to Be The Church to our brothers and sisters, ministering to each other in love and patience. 

Lastly, as always CCEM is here for you. If you have prayer requests or just need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We love you all and we look forward to hopefully being able to see you in person soon!

My eyes run down with streams of water because of the destruction of the daughter of my people. My eyes pour down unceasingly, without stopping, until the Lord looks down and sees from heaven. My eyes bring pain to my soul because of all the daughters of my city. My enemies without cause hunted me down like a bird; they have silenced me in the pit and have placed a stone on me. Waters flowed over my head; I said, “I am cut off!” I called on Your name, O Lord out of the lowest pit. You have heard my voice, “Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, from my cry for help.” You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not fear!” O Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause; You have redeemed my life.

Lamentations 3: 48–58

Walking into our local grocery store this week, my eyes were overwhelmed with what I saw. I saw the “daughters of my city” caught in a panic. Meat and produce were picked clean and a roll of toilet paper or paper towels could not be found for miles. While my city had not been destroyed in the same sense Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 B.C. the people of my city felt the waters of circumstance flowing over their heads, and fear began to run wild.

Uncertainty tends to stroke the flames of fear in each of us. As we watch the number of infections of COVID-19 rise globally and the price of oil drop rapidly, uncertainty about the future may cause us to feel as though the waters are rising around us and stones are weighing us down. It is in these times we may even be tempted to question our faith, and ask God, “why?”

The truth is, we do not know why this current situation is happening. We do not know when it will end or if we will be impacted. However, what we can be sure about is that God our Father is there for us. He desires for us to call out to Him and He desires to hold us close in love and comfort. He hears our cries, and knows the anxieties of our heart. He is a good good Father.

My brothers and sisters at ExxonMobil, do not fear. As the waters rise, and the wind blows, Jesus is there in the midst of the storm. I would encourage you during this time of fear to spend intentional, uninterrupted, deep time with Jesus. Spend time in prayer, time in scripture. Facetime with your small groups at church and encourage each other. When fear is on the rise, the light of Jesus, and His church has the power to drown out fear. Let’s be the Church to each other, and let’s be the Church to our community.

If any of you need prayer, or just someone to talk to, we invite you to contact us through our prayer page. Stay safe, healthy, and do not fear; we love you. – The CCEM Team.