Seeking Justice: Politics of Death Row
Monday, October 13th at 7 p.m. we will host Bill Mooney, Tyrone Ballew’s attorney, who will share with us Tyrone’s story, his legal battle and justice as it pertains to the death penalty in the United States.
Tyrone Ballew has been a member of our faith family for six years now. He is lovingly referred to as Cathy Caldwell’s third son. Many of you have heard parts of Tyrone’s story. Some have even visited him in prison. Several send cards and letters of support to him and occasionally get to hear back from him. Last year our Family Christmas Eve service featured Tyrone’s faith story. It was our attempt to help our children to know more about Tyrone and the incredible person of faith he is. When we laid the plans for that particular worship service, he responded that he would spend his Christmas Eve following our worship plan: reading the Christmas text from his bible and singing the hymns we planned to sing, at the same time of our service, so he could feel like he was a part of our Christmas celebration. We followed his daughter, Jasmine’s, basketball career in Australia on Facebook and we marvel at his artistic talents whenever he sends a new item to someone. He is, very much, one of our own beloved family, though he is separated from us by the walls of steel and concrete of the maximum security prison in Chillicothe, OH.
Cathy Caldwell dreams of walking down one of the aisles of our sanctuary, holding tight to Tyrone’s arm, to introduce him in person to all of you. Those who have met him, now, share in that dream as well. What a wonderful celebration it will be to have him here with us sharing his testimony from our pulpit! Cathy Caldwell, and others who knew Tyrone before he was sentenced to death row, work for his freedom and pray for the day he will live among us once again. For now, we must share his story ourselves.
We, as members of the body of Christ, must work tirelessly for justice. It is what the Lord requires of us! We have to be the ones to speak out wherever there are injustices in the world because, for now, people like Tyrone have no voice. Lady justice is not blind. She sees clearly the racial differences of those brought before her. She sees the economic differences of those who are tried in her courts. She, unfortunately, delivers a heavier-handed sentence to minorities and the poor. These are the least of these…these are the ones to whom we are called to serve.
Join us on Monday evening to hear more about Tyrone. Invite your friends. Bring cookies or brownies to serve our guests and help us to welcome all God’s people when they arrive at our doors.
And, as always, continue to pray for Tyrone Ballew, his family and those working diligently towards justice.
Blessings,
Tracy