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Dear San Marco Church Family: Last Thursday, July 31, I had the opportunity to attend a vigil outside the gates of the Florida State Prison in Raiford. A Catholic priest from Daytona Beach organized the vigil to protest the ninth execution by the state of Florida in 2025. This sets the record for the most state executions in one year. As is the case with most death row inmates, the crime for which the condemned man was convicted was an especially brutal murder. There were three different Catholic Churches represented at the vigil, and two of those brought a bus filled with church members. You may ask why it would be important to attend such a vigil. The short answer is that we oppose any state-sponsored execution of any human being based upon our Christian faith. Specifically, we believe that all human life is sacred and that no person should be defined exclusively by that person’s worst actions. This particular case also involved a jury verdict recommending a death sentence by a 7 to 5 margin. While such a verdict was allowed 30 years ago when the man was convicted, such a verdict would not be allowed under current state law. (To be clear, everyone involved agreed that the convicted man should spend his life in prison without the possibility of parole, but that he should not be executed). My experience of the event revealed some surprises. There were between 30 and 40 people present opposing the death penalty, and the group sang hymns and read scripture and poetry. I sensed a sacredness to the gathering, and I appreciated the solidarity of this group. I was reminded of a scripture passage from Ecclesiastes 7:2, which states, “……it is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting……” Attending the event was a rich experience for me. In the midst of the gathering, I reflected upon the fleeting nature of human life, and upon God’s promise of eternal life for all who trust in Christ. This perspective is a reminder that the worst things in this life NEVER have to be final experiences for any of us. With Christ, the possibility of redemption and new life is always present. There are two more execution vigils scheduled in Florida this month, one on August 19 and another on August 28. I plan to attend these vigils if possible, not because I know anything about the particular cases, but because I support the mission of the group. There are many social justice causes for sincere people of faith to support. I encourage you to find the cause that is important to you and get involved. Such involvement is empowering! This Sunday, August 10, I will be sharing a message based upon Hebrews 11:1 and Hebrews 11: 8-12. I look forward to seeing you in worship, and I appreciate your prayers. Steve Hart
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