My heart is broken once again. One week after a gunman killed Dr. John Cheng at a Taiwanese Presbyterian church in Laguna Woods, CA. Nine days after another gunman killed 10 Black people in a Buffalo, NY supermarket. Here we are yet again.
As I am sure you have heard, yet another gunman killed at least 19 children and two teachers at a school in Uvalde, TX yesterday.
I have no words of wisdom. Instead, I'm writing to share two things:
Service of Lament, Saturday 7pm
On Saturday at 7pm, St. Paul's will host a Service of Lament. Please invite any members of the Southington community or surrounding areas who may want to attend.
This is a time to gather so that we can mourn those who have died, lament with those who are left behind, and discern what actions God is calling us to take. Prayer is not an action in itself; rather, it is the action we take to discern and fortify whatever it is we need to do next.
Message from Our Bishops
Today, Bishops Ian and Laura released a message about the Uvalde, TX shooting. You can read their message here.
Both Bishop Ian and Bishop Laura have been leaders in the important work of Bishops United Against Gun Violence. And I'm so grateful that Bishop Laura will be able to pray with us on Saturday evening.
The stresses of COVID, gun violence, white supremacy, a struggling economy, and so many other factors are compounding and causing very real trauma for all of us. Please reach out to me (and to each other) for support at this time so that we can continue to be about the work God has in store for us.
I conclude with the prayer our bishops shared today:
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding. Deal graciously with the families of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.