Bishop Rickel issued the following pastoral update:O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Yesterday, once again, one of the major issues of our time came not close to home, it came home. As I said following Sandy Hook, Seattle Pacific, and the other shootings we have endured, I so pray we do not get used to this; I fear we are reaching that point as the list is getting longer. Yes, there are many angles on this issue, but this one cannot be avoided: Guns in our society, the ease of access, especially in the hands of our children, are a serious issue for us as a country.
I want to first commend St. Philip’s, Marysville, their rector, Terry Kyllo, and the congregation, for moving quickly to offer a candlelight prayer vigil to the community Friday night. At this point, we do not know all the ways we could be asked, or even should be asked to be involved and respond. For now, I ask your prayers for all the victims, for those who now grieve the loss of loved ones, for those who now hold vigil for the injured. Let us join that vigil in prayer.
Thanks to Dave Baylor, our Diocesan Disaster Coordinator, and Episcopal Relief and Development, for sharing several resources regarding working with children and youth around these issues (links below).
Ministering to K-5th Grade
Ministering to Youth 6th Grade through 8th Grade
Ministering to Youth Grades 9th-12th
Pray for all involved, and pray for our country and our resolve to find a better way forward. Blessings, +Greg
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Greg Rickel (@BishopRickel) October 24, 2014
