Dear Sisters and Brothers,

You may have heard from media reports that a student at OPRF High School, Elijah Sims, was shot and killed earlier this week. Today would have been Elijah's 17th birthday. Although I don't believe Elijah or his family ever worshiped at Grace, they are very much members of our broader community. They live in Oak Park and have family in Austin. Elijah worked at Pete's on Lake Street and was a classmate of many of the high school aged members of our congregation.

This evening at 7PM there will be a candlelight vigil in Scoville Park and I wanted to invite you to join me there to mourn this young man and give his family and friends our support and love.

Peace and love,

MaryPat Mauro