Southeastern PA Synod, ELCA
Greetings!

As I am sure you have seen in the media, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pleasant Valley, was arrested this week and charged with the murder of Rhonda Smith in the church on Jan. 23.

This is a difficult and confusing time for the congregation, yet their faith is unshaken. Synod staff and Lutheran Disaster Response's pastoral care team have been working with the congregation and its leaders this week and will continue to walk with them. Your prayers for Trinity Lutheran Church, Pr. Greg Shreaves and the congregation staff and leaders will be appreciated in the coming days and weeks.

Bishop Burkat sent the following letter to the congregation, which was read at a special meeting last night, at which the congregation was able to come together to share concerns, pray together, and express mutual care and support.
 
Letter to Trinity Church


April 2, 2008

The Rev. Gregory Shreaves, Pastor
Mr. Paul Rose, Council President
Trinity Lutheran Church
2170 Route 212
Coopersburg PA 18036-9679

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My deepest prayers and hope for your well being during this most difficult time are with you.  I am out of town and heard from Pastor Serena Sellers and Bob Fisher of the arrest last night and the most recent developments in aftermath of the tragic death of Rhonda Smith.

St. Paul writes:
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that in all things, God works together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  ~ Romans 8:24-28

I cannot imagine how confused, shocked and distressed you must be. I could hardly find words to pray for you all last night.  Yet, this passage from St Paul's letter to the church at Rome reminds us that God will intercede for us when we don't know how to pray, or the burden is too heavy, or the pain too great, or our spirits are discouraged.  It is for such a time as this that our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, enters our suffering and sighs with us in breath and spirit too deep for words.

My hope is in the Lord and giver of life, who understands and enters fully into our human existence, with love, grace, strength and hope.  Hope that transcends what we can understand now, only dimly.  Hope that will bind us together in the unity of Christ who is our hope.  And hope that in all these things, as difficult as they are, God is the one working for good in spite of outward appearances and discouraging circumstances.

And so dear sisters and brothers in Christ, rest today and tomorrow on the hope of God in Christ Jesus.  Let God's Holy Spirit intercede for you and give you words and prayers that will bless and not hurt.  Be kind to one another, you all have been through an ordeal most cannot even imagine.  For future healing, wholeness and restoration of trust, I will lift you in prayer daily.

With and in Christ,

Claire S. Burkat, Bishop