Pastoral Note from the Rev. Susan Pinkerton - May 25, 2022

Dear companions in Christ,

Words fail to express our horror as we struggle to face the nauseating reality of yet another mass shooting. Nineteen fifth graders and two of their teachers were gunned down in their classroom in Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX yesterday morning, two days before the start of their summer vacation. We can only imagine the devasting heartbreak of their parents, families, fellow students, teachers, friends, police officers, medical personnel and all whose lives are touched and forever changed because of this senseless act of violence by an 18-year-old shooter in this small farming community in rural America.

We are a nation traumatized by the ongoing assault of gun violence on innocent, defenseless victims. Because we are a Christian community that endeavors to follow the way of Jesus, a life defined by love and justice, we get on our knees, and we pray. As our Presiding Bishop Curry said yesterday, we also raise our voices to do what is right to make God’s dream for the world become a reality, a place where all children are safe and free from the threat of violence.

To learn what almost one hundred bishops in the Episcopal Church are doing to address the evil of gun violence visit bishopsagainstgunviolence.org.

Comments by our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry may be viewed on Facebook here.

Additional resources from The Episcopal Church are available here.

We will gather this Friday evening at 6:00 pm in our sanctuary and on Zoom for our weekly prayer vigil, praying for peace in Ukraine and praying for the innocent victims of the mass shooting in Uvalde, TX.

Into your spacious heart and loving hands, dear God, I place my fears, my “what ifs,” my spinning world and mind... Comfort me with the truth no fear is too big for the Great One, who is always with me. I am never alone. Calming God, bring courage. Tender Spirit, breathe peace. Gentle Jesus, be close. Amen.

In faith and love,
Susan+

A Prayer for Uvalde from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

May 24, 2022

Merciful God whose blessed Son took children into his arms and blessed them, give us grace now to entrust these innocents to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom through Jesus Christ our lord. Deal graciously with those who grieve and are filled with sorrow and heartache. Surround them with your love that somehow they may not be overwhelmed by their loss but have confidence in your goodness and strength to meet the days ahead. Amen. —The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate

To get involved in The Episcopal Church's work against gun violence, visit http://epfnational.org or http://bishopsagainstgunviolence.org