US Senator Roger Marshall

479A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 15:5–6

Senator Marshall,

We write as fellow disciples of Jesus, seeking, like we believe you seek, to live in a way that glorifies God. We write as constituents, who love Kansas and want the best for its people. We write as United Methodist clergy, alarmed and dismayed at the recent rhetoric employed by your campaign, specifically attacks from you and Vice President Vance on the United Methodist Church, the congregation of the Church of the Resurrection, and the pastoral ministry of Rev. Adam Hamilton. You describe the church and his ministry in a way that ignores the tremendous good they have done to bring hope, light, and healing to the world.

Political campaigns should highlight the differences between candidates to help voters decide who will best represent their interests. We encourage robust and vigorous debate about taxes, spending, regulation, foreign policy, military intervention, social welfare, immigration, human rights, the judicial system and countless other issues pertaining to the health and governance of our country. There are so many things to talk about in this campaign Senator, we see no need for you to spend time insulting, demeaning, or dismissing the faith of other Christians.

Throughout his letters, the Apostle Paul wrote in the midst of conflict to implore mutual support and encouragement. His overriding message is clear: to follow Jesus is to give grace to one another and allow for different expressions of faith. Our founder, John Wesley, said the same thing like this: “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike?”

United Methodists across Kansas hold a wide array of political views. We believe this is one of our strengths as a church. There are United Methodists who will vote for you and others who will vote for Adam. And the week after the election, we will return to our sanctuaries to pray together, to worship together, to serve God and our communities together. Our diverse churches are like countless other churches across Kansas, perhaps even your home congregation in Great Bend. When you attack Adam’s pastoral ministry, his home congregation, and our denomination as a whole, you sow seeds of division and dissent. You tear at the fabric that is the body of Christ.

Further, our US Constitution declares “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This is a cherished and essential right that has contributed greatly to the strength of our nation. When, as a sitting Senator, you base your attacks on differences in faith and question other’s belief in God, you are failing to protect religious freedom.

In the weeks ahead, please focus your messaging on the public policy issues central to this race. Leave our churches free from political attack so they may carry out their mission of love, service and sharing the Good News.

In peace and hope,

The signatories

120 original signatories, in the order they appear in the letter.

Add your voice
  • Rev. Amy LippoldtWichita, KS
  • Rev. Andrew ConardMcPherson, KS
  • Rev. Christopher EshelmanFort Scott, KS
  • Rev. Jeannine JensenOskaloosa, KS
  • Rev. Melissa NaylorKinsley, KS
  • Rev. Lori Patton AguilarLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Tony SerbousekConcordia, KS
  • Rev. Stephanie SethLyndon, KS
  • Rev. Martha McDougalOsawatomie, KS
  • Rev. Ashley Prescott Barlow-ThompsonWichita, KS
  • Rev. Rick SaylorWichita, KS
  • Rev. Denis AckermanWamego, KS
  • Rev. Carly ReddingWinfield, KS
  • Pastor Rhonda KingwoodWichita, KS
  • Rev. Dr Annie RickerTopeka, KS
  • Rev. Bev BaumgartnerDerby, KS
  • Rev. Glenn FogoManhattan, KS
  • Rev. Brenda HoganScott City, KS
  • Rev. Evelyn FisherWichita, KS
  • Rev. Daniel NorwoodTopeka, KS
  • Pastor Valecia Vogts-ScribnerWichita, KS
  • Rev. Anne GahnLawrence, KS
  • Rev. Michelle ByerlyOsage City, KS
  • Pastor Ali HaynesLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Debby DickTopeka, KS
  • Pastor Joy LenzMulvane, KS
  • Rev. Melissa Collier GepfordShawnee, KS
  • Rev. Connie WooldridgeChapman, KS
  • Rev. Mark CristArma, KS
  • Rev. Jo MeadWichita, KS
  • Rev. Jack GregoryLenexa, KS
  • Pastor Samuel O’BanionDerby, KS
  • Rev. Lora AndrewsKansas City, KS
  • Rev. Jeff ProthroPrairie Village, KS
  • Rev. Quentin BennetWichita, KS
  • Pastor Jeffrey GraberWichita, KS
  • Rev. Daniel ReffnerPittsburg, KS
  • Rev. Cindy WatsonWichita, KS
  • Rev. Nicole ConardMcPherson, KS
  • Rev. Phil WoodsonStilwell, KS
  • Rev. Dayna HauschildHutchinson, KS
  • Rev. Michael Tomson-DeGreeffTopeka, KS
  • Bishop Bruce BlakeWinfield, KS
  • Rev. Claudia BakelyKansas City, KS
  • Rev. Kyle ReynoldsLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Eric VogtLenexa, KS
  • Rev Hyemi Lee JonesFairway, KS
  • Rev. Allison MarcusShawnee, KS
  • Rev. Sandra CoxOlathe, KS
  • Rev. Michael MarcusShawnee, KS
  • Pastor Charles McKinze IITopeka, KS
  • Rev. Emilyjane EichmanLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Lacey WheelerRose Hill, KS
  • Rev. Brennan CummingsOlathe, KS
  • Rev. Lance CarrithersDerby, KS
  • Rev Changhyyn KImOlathe, KS
  • Rev Jim ReedManhattan, KS
  • Rev. H. Sharon HowellLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Rachel FettersPleasanton, KS
  • Rev. Jim AkinsGarden City, KS
  • Rev. Timothy BeverPratt, KS
  • Rev. Russell AndersonWinfield, KS
  • Rev. Edward FriesenKechi, KS
  • Rev. Young Je KimDe Soto, KS
  • Rev. J.J. MartinezSalina, KS
  • Rev. Janet MaxwellWichita, KS
  • Pastor Kathy SymesLouisberg, KS
  • Rev. Deann SmithTowanda, KS
  • Rev. Margaret JohnsonHillsboro, KS
  • Rev. Alex RossowWamego, KS
  • Rev. Kent H. LittleManhattan, KS
  • Rev. Steven Talbott-DixsonTribune, KS
  • Rev. Brenda HeardWichita, KS
  • Rev. Amy SeifertTopeka, KS
  • Rev. Andrea BeyerLawrence, KS
  • Rev. David Brian SmithWinfield, KS
  • Rev. Kurt CooperEmporia, KS
  • Rev. Dr. Kirstie EngelLawrence, KS
  • Rev. Janet RhindOverland Park, KS
  • Rev. Chelsea ShrackSalina, KS
  • Rev. Howard JohnsonShawnee, KS
  • Rev. Shelly McNaughtonOlathe, KS
  • Rev. Gary BrooksWichita, KS
  • Rev. Amanda BakerEmporia, KS
  • Rev. Bruce DraperShawnee, KS
  • Rev. Claudia Ricks HubbardOverland Park, KS
  • Rev. Karen NyhartShawnee, KS
  • Rev. Bruce EmmertTopeka, KS
  • Rev. John CollinsManhattan, KS
  • Rev. Alex K BrueningMelvern, KS
  • Rev. Roberta FallHutchinson, KS
  • Rev. Jeff GannonWichita, KS
  • Rev. Carter EllisKansas City, KS
  • Rev. Michael ChamberlainManhattan, KS
  • Rev. Barbara ClingerLawrence, KS
  • Pastor Courtney FellersManhattan, KS
  • Rev. Ross BakerEmporia, KS
  • Pastor Emily ElliottLawrence, KS
  • Rev. Jim HopwoodSpring Hill, KS
  • Pastor Linda HopwoodSpring Hill, KS
  • Pastor Bob ClemenceSolomon, KS
  • Pastor Sandra NyemboSpring HIlls, KS
  • Pastor Rebecca StredneyMentor, KS
  • Pastor John MartinWichita, KS
  • Pastor Bethany DePughLeawood, KS
  • Rev. Lydia KimOlathe, KS
  • Rev. James BrewerTopeka, KS
  • Rev. Libby ThemisAbilene, KS
  • Rev. Jenifer SchultzWestwood Hills, KS
  • Rev. Justin SchoolcraftOlathe, KS
  • Rev. Doug GahnLawrence, KS
  • Rev. Cheryl Jefferson BellOverland Park, KS
  • Rev. Charles R. ClaycombWichita, KS
  • Rev. Gayla RappPrairie Village, KS
  • Rev. Brenda DavidsMeriden, KS
  • Rev Steve LanghoferLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Dr. Lisa ThompsonAndover, KS
  • Rev. Bill GepfordOlathe, KS
  • Rev. Jeff PotterTopeka, KS
  • Rev. Christine PotterTopeka, KS

In solidarity

289 additional supporters, in the order their names were received.

  • Julie CatesSalina
  • Linda LouderbackLeawood, KS
  • Rev. Bailey AmtowerOlathe
  • Robin CatesSalina
  • Pastor Beth WilkeWinfield, Kansas
  • Sandy SimmonsLeavenworth, KS
  • Susan InichBasehor, KS
  • Rev. Kimberly DominiKansas City,KS
  • Patrick McLaughlinKansas City, MO
  • Martha Susanne T. SmithWichita, KS
  • Craig HauschildHutchinson KS
  • Rev. Jeff Goetzinger (former kansan)Alma, Nebraska
  • Rev. W. Lawrence GroveLawrence, KS
  • Rev. Meg LassiatWestfield, IN
  • Kathleen M. DicksonKansas City
  • Rev. Ally DrummondLee's Summit, MO
  • Dennis R DicksonKansas City
  • Rev. Dr. Jennifer LongKingfisher, Oklahoma
  • Stuart EshlemanSalina
  • Elizabeth LippoldtWichita
  • Lee CampbellLeawood
  • Kara KeenanKinsley
  • Patricia Ault-DuellSalina
  • Rev. Andy BryanMaplewood, MO
  • Ben KrehbielLenexa, KS
  • Corey GodbeyIndianapolis, IN
  • Daniel R. LordWichita, KS
  • Tev. Linda GastreichFenton
  • Rev Dr Ira L DeSpainOlathe
  • Mona CandeaColumbia,MO
  • Robert JohnsonOverland Park
  • Rev. Lindsey Baynham FreemanRichmond, VA
  • Nancy CadwellMaple Grove, MN
  • Rev. Richard Lane BaileyDe Soto, Kansas
  • Heather JacksonLawrence, KS
  • Chelle Tedrow-DouglassGarden City
  • RevPaul BabcockShawnee
  • Brian SuttonWichita
  • Phyllis LightnerStilwell, KS
  • Nancy SouthardCleveland, Missouri
  • Eric MeyerSalina KS
  • Rev. Dennis L. AppleOlathe
  • Rev. Dr. Jonathan PageWashington, D.C.
  • Patricia LunaSanta Rosa Beach, FL
  • Jozelle WallaceWichita, KS
  • Jeanine RishelMoundridge
  • Lois HuneycuttColumbia
  • Torey ByrneLeawood Kansas
  • Diana EndicottFort Scott, Kansas
  • Traci HenningNewton Kansas
  • Jan HelmerMarion Kansas
  • Rev Mark FillmoreKiowa Ks
  • Rev. Wendy MinshallLees Summit, MO
  • Ken LippoldtWichita, KS
  • Matt MiofskySaint Louis, MO
  • Coralee EvansAuburn
  • Sara CampbellWichita, KS
  • David BrantWichita
  • Jane BarrickWichita, KS
  • Rev. Dr. Trudy Kenyon AndersonWinfield, KS
  • Debbie AckermanWamego, Ks
  • Susan Kris WheatleyWichita, KS
  • Julie WilkeWinfield, KS
  • Linda MillerSt. Charles, MO
  • Rev. Glen ShoupOverland Park
  • Rev. Dr. Andrew FinchNewton, KS
  • Lura AtherlyWichita
  • Allyson KlineTopeka, KS
  • Anita and Rev Terry TurnerSt. Paul, MN
  • Rev. Dee Ann HeptasOlathe
  • Rev. Mark D. CalhounLander, Wyoming
  • Rev. Butch RitterBaldwin City
  • Mary SpradlinWoodway, TX
  • Rev. Jennifer HerndonWichita, KS
  • Rev Dr Gary WeaverWilmington,De
  • Alan StambaughWichita
  • Rev. Karli D. PidgeonBaton Rouge, LA
  • Diane TraskWichita, KS
  • Jan HayenLincoln, NE
  • Bishop Sue Haupert-JohnsonRichmond, VA
  • Murray StenzelWichita
  • Lynne GilbertGreensboro, NC
  • Dr. Stephanie GibsonNewton, KS
  • Brett ValliantPhoenix Arizona
  • Matt DunningBasehor, Ks
  • Jeanette GrenzLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Lauren LobenhoferChesterfield, VA
  • Misty DunningBasehor, KS
  • Sheryl AndersonAugusta, KS
  • Rev. Angie Colina McNeilIndependence, MO
  • Rev Gary BeachManhattan, KS
  • Cynthia RiosWichita
  • Rev Ellen PollockLady Lake FL
  • Terri WomackWichita, KS
  • Rev. Lynn Ann DykeGulfport, Fl
  • Rev. Dr. KIm BieryHutchinson
  • Jessica CarteGlen Dale WV
  • Brad GabrielGermantown, TN
  • Cathy AndersonNewton
  • Rev. Dr.Richard A.HunterAtlanta, Georgia
  • Amanda HoltOverland Park, KS
  • Rev. Justin BurnettWarsaw, MO
  • Ken Van BlaricumWichita, Kansas
  • Ava WedelTowanda
  • Melody LindensmithWichita, Kansas
  • Marcia KnieryPlano
  • Teressa EastmanWichita Kansas
  • Beverly Johnson-millerLexington
  • Kerrie OllenburgerHutchinson, KS
  • Rev. Madeline BaumKey West
  • David MeredithCincinnati
  • Kathy DonovanEl Dorado, kansas
  • Stephanie DeenEl Dorado
  • Michelle Erin GowinWhitewater, KS
  • Becky JohnsonShawnee
  • Linda BlainMcpherson
  • Rev. Steve PriceGainesville, FL
  • Heather DuBoisKinsley, KS
  • Janice LeonardWichita, Ks
  • Susan WinstonNorth Newton, Kansas
  • Kim IngramBelmont, NC
  • Rev. Tino HerreraKansas City, MO
  • Bonnie HoffmanMcpherson
  • Jeffrey EastmanWichita, Kansas
  • Kane McEntireWichita, KS
  • Cindy PetersonPlano, TX (originally Wichita, KS)
  • Sandra ThorntonOxford
  • Shelley Hiebert ShipmanEl Dorado, Ks
  • Scott SherradenHutchinson, KS
  • Robyn ChadwickWichita, KS
  • Rev Dr. Dawn ComptonLynchburg VA
  • Rev. Travis Smith McKeeHaysville, KS
  • Mary BrooksLyndon
  • Andrea ParetSouth Sioux City, Nebraska
  • Rev. Randy QuinnEl Dorado, KS
  • Karen FieserNorwich, KS
  • Kathy CarterOverland Park, KS
  • Matthew SandbulteWichita, KS
  • Nancy WatkinsLake Junaluska, NC
  • Rev. Annette Stiles PendergrassOrmond Beach, FL
  • Rev. Mari KingHutchinson, KS
  • Rev Daphne JohnsonFranklin, NC
  • Margaret BroderickEdwardsville, KS
  • Judith OswaldWichita
  • Danita HillOverland Park
  • Yvi MartinKansas City, MO
  • Rev. Debra LucasSingers Glen, Virginia
  • Cynthia HinmanLittleton, CO
  • Melissa DoddColumbia, Mo
  • Vicky HermanOlathe
  • Rev. Phyllis Provost-SaasHaysville
  • Molly NesporDerby, KS
  • Jeanne DevineAustin, TX
  • Rev. Dr. Jill S. SmithSalisbury, North Carolina
  • Beau StringerOlathe, KS
  • Paula CarterWichita
  • Rev. Jay B. HendersonTopeka
  • Rev Joel SimpsonTaylorsville, NC
  • Karla StenzelWichita
  • Rev Melissa HatchSavannah, TX
  • Monica SarvisOverland Park
  • Sherrie AntholzTopeka
  • Judy AndersonBonner Springs, KS
  • Gene McIntoshEmporia
  • Dr Marshall StantonSalina, KS
  • Rev Chris GilmoreWichita, KS
  • Pastor Kirk Anderson, CREWichita
  • Diane OliverLenexa, KS
  • Kathleen LeonardManhattan
  • Rev Sandra BottomsHenrico, VA
  • Madison Bhagalia, RNOverland Park
  • Martin D. JohnsonToledo, OH
  • Rev Dr Clayton SmithStilwell, Ks
  • Ruth HigginbothamLeawood
  • Rev. David KimWaverly, NE
  • Lisa BennettWichita Kansas
  • Ginger DodyEmporia, KS
  • Jana ParkerBlue Springs, MO (former Kansan)
  • April MacDonaldAuburn, Al
  • Rea WilsonOlathe
  • Rev. Angela Paulette TothLicolnton, NC
  • Lisa KuhnkeLeawood, KS
  • Katherine GuettermanBucyrus, KS
  • Cynthia MarionWichita
  • Michael MarionWichita
  • Jonathan BellOverland Park, KS
  • Kim ShawOverland Park, KS
  • Michele MartinMulvane, KS
  • Susan HuckabeeTopeka
  • Janet Fox-PetersenWichita
  • Linda SwanAmes, Iowa
  • Rev. Hollis BoardmanOrlando, Florida
  • Jalynn NolteLawrence
  • Pastor Marshall LarsonAltamont KS
  • MarciaPittsburg
  • J. Robert NationsWinston-Salem, North Carolina
  • Dr. Lisa RohrbaughLenexa, Kansas
  • Rev. Andrea RothShawnee, KS
  • Rev. Kathy WilliamsTopeka Kansas
  • Marcy ScribnerAugusta, Kansas
  • Abigail ParkerAustin, TX
  • Gary MahatheyWinston Salem
  • Kim RowlenOverland Park, KS
  • Rev Janice VirtueFranklin, NC
  • Ben WhiteSpring Hill
  • Angela LaVallie TinsleyPimento, IN
  • Rev. Eenee EasterLinwood, NC
  • Aric ConradNorth Little Rock, AR
  • Carey AustinDerby, KS
  • Peter Andreas OvercashConcord
  • Lisa DraperLenexa, KS
  • Rev. Jennifer ForresterNorth Carolina
  • Sheree ReeceOverland Park
  • Leslie Van SyckleLady Lake, FL
  • Sara WilliamsEast Bend
  • Dian McNaughtNellysford, VA
  • Rev. Shannon GreeneKansas City, MO
  • Cathy WalkerGirard, Kansas
  • Rev. Deborah DellingerOverland Park KS
  • Jack HighfillKansas City
  • Pamela EnsleyTopeka, KS
  • Rev. Donna Rose-HeimOverland Park. Ks
  • Mary AbsherTopeka
  • Carolyn RatliffOverland Park KS
  • Rev Larry DaviesFredericksburg
  • Wayne Montgomery, Th.D.Salina, Ks
  • Rev Dr Bonnie Preston HarrisKernersville, NC
  • Suzanne MyersLawrence
  • Andrew RuckerShawnee, KS
  • Marva BeverNewton
  • Rev Melinda HollowayPortland, OR
  • Dan CaffreyGreensboro North Carolna
  • Laurie SmithWichita, Kansas
  • Patti StaffSaint Peters
  • Taylor OConnorMission KS
  • Vicki HippLenexa
  • Cheryl Reed GreenoughLenexa
  • Pam BeMentBasehor, KS
  • Rev. Rodvegas IngramGreensboro NC
  • Janet RobinsonWichita
  • John ThornburgAustin, TX
  • Rev. Daniel KippOmaha, NE
  • Lee MartinIndependence, KS
  • Frederick Lee WiensTopeka, Ks
  • Valerie KlaassenWhitewater, kansas
  • Carol L. RoyerColumbia
  • Anita MartzWichita
  • Rev. John WrightManhattan, KS
  • Rev. Dr. Sally HaynesSanibel, FL
  • Pastor Brad ThomisonWichita, KS
  • Randall WarnerSpring Hill
  • Bryce FuhrmannDerby
  • Denise GlennWichita
  • Tiffany BurkesWichita, KS
  • Terri HowardOttawa
  • Rev. Dr. Susan TaylorFlowery Branch
  • Rev. Daniel K. IveyHenrico
  • Mary Ellen KilmerMitchell
  • Dorothy C. IveyHenrico
  • Valissa marstonWestwood Hls
  • Rev. Linda BirchallAugusta, GA
  • Mark WinslowWichita, KS
  • Diana ChapelManhattan KS
  • Cynthia MillerRoeland Park
  • Rev. Pat WatkinsPittsboro NC
  • William EnglandOverland Park
  • Pamela McNicollOlathe, Kansas
  • John CawthorneKure Beach, NC
  • Sami RawlingsShawnee Kansas
  • Kim JeffriesMission Hills, KS
  • Lyle MillsWellsville
  • Rev. Willmar T. HarderBuhler, KS
  • Debbie HarrWichita, Kansas
  • Marilyn BarbeckOlathe, Kansas
  • Brenda Bauman SwankTooeja, KS
  • Neal WhitlowAUGUSTA
  • Nicholas S. WarnerOlathe, Kansas
  • Deborah van der WegNewton, KS
  • Kimberly DruryGardner Ks
  • Barbara HelmOverland Park, Kansas
  • John A HugginsOverland Park
  • Ralph GribbenHays, Kansas
  • Charlene Van WalleghenWichita, KS
  • Breck EddsTopeka, KS
  • Lanita SmithMerriam, Kansas
  • Rev. Donna HolderRichmond, VA
  • Rev Michael WondelSt. Charles MO
  • John Van WaleghenWichita, KS
  • Donna HeitmannTopeka

Stand in solidarity

There is room
for your voice.

You don’t have to be clergy or United Methodist to share in this call for grace. If the letter speaks to you, add your name in solidarity.

Your submission goes to the letter’s organizers for review. Your email stays private. Names are not published automatically.

Add your name

Stand with the spirit of this letter.

For the organizers to contact you about your submission.