Baltimore-Washington Conference Bishop Marcus Mathews responded with a letter to this week’s unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray who died in police custody. “I know in my heart that God watches over the Gray family, Baltimore’s leaders and police, and all people trying to make sense of the death of Freddie Gray and the violence perpetrated by people taking selfish and senseless advantage of events that have unfolded in the city.” Read his letter. Many clergy joined together in a march for peace while riots grew in the streets in hopes of easing tensions and bringing a sense of calm. They put themselves between bottle-throwing demonstrators and lines of police officers with pepper spray. Read the full story. The Rev. P. Devon Brown from Chicago’s St. Mark UMC and President of Black United Methodist Pastors wrote, “Though violence and destruction of property should not be condoned, remember in many instances they are a response to, rather than the cause of conflict.” Read his statement. GCORR General Secretary Erin Hawkins responded, “We must agree that black lives matter. That people living in poverty matter. That equal justice and opportunity for all matters. And then we must commit to creating policies and systems that produce solutions.” Read her statement.