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"For we walk by faith and not by sight..."
Like you, I am feeling a heaviness today. I feel the weight of shock and grief and sorrow in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Again, we find ourselves reacting to hate-filled domestic terrorism that robs families of loved ones and lowers a pall of sadness upon our nation. Investigations continue, but early evidence points toward a targeting of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. Intolerance and exclusion have fueled this violence - and our hearts break. Let us then pray for the victims and their families; let us pray for those still hospitalized and clinging to life; let us pray for first responders and medical personnel; and let us pray for those who are persecuted for who they are or what religion they observe. We pray for a time when understanding, love and peace will prevail.
Churches in the Michigan Conference are planning vigils in the days ahead. These are important opportunities for communities to gather, to grieve, and to search for a renewed hope for the living of our days. People of faith have a special responsibility to comfort those who mourn, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to be a light of the world. Therefore, I am including with this missive a variety of resources that may be helpful to your planning efforts. If you are planning a vigil, please let us know at the Conference Office and we will help spread the word ( lisa@michucc.org).
Park Congregational UCC in Grand Rapids is planning a community-wide vigil for this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 10 East Park Place NE, Grand Rapids.
With you on the journey,
Campbell Lovett
Conference Minister
A personal letter from Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Cheryl Burke about preparedness. A letter from Rev. John Vertigan, Conference Minister, Florida Conference UCC Statements from the United Church of Christ:
A Prayer for Orlando by Elizabeth Gilbert
A Prayer by Matt Crebbin, Pastor of the Newtown Congregational Church, Newtown, Connecticut:
"A word about Orlando
First...DO PRAY...if it is a part of your tradition.
Pray for the murdered, the injured, the traumatized - each one a unique and precious treasure.
Pray for families and communities forever altered.
Pray for individuals and families in other places who this moment are being re-traumatized.
Pray for all those in our society who are targets of violence because their beauty as a child of God does not fit somebody else's definition of what is righteous or pure.
Pray for all of us who by intent or apathy continue to allow our nation to worship at the altar of the gun.
Pray for those who will only offer prayers and nothing else.
Pray for those who will use this violence to demean or mistreat whole swaths of humanity.
Pray for those who think they know all the reasons for this and who will soon return to a cocoon of self righteous certainty.
Pray for those who will become even more captive to the way of fear - and only end up further down the path of death and brokenness.
Pray for shalom...for peace and well-being for everyone - including even those who commit unspeakable acts of violence.
Pray for yourself - because even prayer is sometimes too difficult and if you cannot find any words - sighs will always do.
Pray...and even as you are praying...commit yourself to be a part of the transformation our broken, grieving and traumatized world needs.
Pray ...and in your praying become a living and breathing prayer in and for the world."
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