A contemporary question often asked concerns the relevancy of the church in society. Yet, at times when inexplicable, unbearable events occur, like last week's horror at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, we gather at the Church.
As religious people, or not, we are not so much seeking answers as comfort in our confusion, solace within community, and guidance from ordained leaders. In times of horrific tragedy, we remember exactly where we were when we learned of unexplainable events like 9-11; the assassinations of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., or presidential candidate Robert Kennedy; the Columbine High School massacre; the homicidal attack on former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords in Tucson; and other tragedies that deeply impact our sensibilities. In those times of "wailing and loud lamentation," where do we find ourselves? To what or to whom do we turn? Do we query the Church's relevance then?
What The Episcopal Church did on that fateful Friday, December 14th - and continues to do - was to exercise the most difficult role demanded of clergy. The Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, the Rev. Kathleen Adams-Shepherd, upon learning of the first shots, rushed to Sandy Hook Elementary School, then to the Fire House near the school where surviving children were being taken and traumatized parents waited. Offering the ministry of presence to the parents waiting and waiting and then hearing the devastating words that would change their lives forever, Adams-Shepherd, as well as the Rev. Mark Moore, Rector, St. John's Episcopal Church, Sandy Hook, prayed and cared for the bereaved in their shock and despair. As one of her own church families lost a child, Adams-Shepherd joined in their unspeakable grief. Connecticut's three bishops, two of whom are SIM alumni, were also there on Friday afternoon and over the weekend to bolster the bereaved with their caring presence. In such times, do we question the Church's relevance?
For some, our ordained leaders are like stars - not visible when the sun is shining but present when darkness comes. The services in Newtown make us acutely aware that the question is not the Church's relevance but the critical necessity of its presence.
In this time of tragedy and heroes, we might do well to learn from the mother of Fred Rogers, beloved entertainer, educator, songwriter, author, minister, and host of the classic children's show, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. In times of tragedy she told her young son, "Look for the helpers - they will always be there."
May our prayers for the people of Newtown/Sandy Hook help us to stay connected to one another in love and care.
