Dear Union Family,
We do not know what to say.
So many words swirl around us.
It is not that there are no theological thoughts or scriptural passages to quote but, in this time, the most healing act may be to stay in our anger and pain. Attempting to move away quickly runs the risk of failing to let pain do the work of moving us to restorative action.
The murders in Uvalde Elementary School are horrific as is the loss of life in the 213 similar acts of violence in these first 146 days of the year and the hundreds of shootings before—each tearing apart additional lives of parents, siblings, grandparents, spouses, cousins, and friends. The loss of laughter, hopes, dreams, and moments together is incalculable. We need to express that—to acknowledge the violation of the sanctity of life—to voice that this is utterly wrong and rips us to the core.
How do we talk to our kids about this—our kids who in many instances are already more aware of this harsh reality that we are from years of shooter drills and lock downs in their classrooms?
How do we pray when it feels it is to no avail and prayer itself has entered the political battleground?
We do not know what to say. So many words swirl around us.
But we do not abandon being present to our kids, holding, feeding, listening, asking what they are feeling, what they are thinking, choosing to live from love not fear. We do not abandon prayer---but we pray for more than comfort and peace. And we do not pray as a way of diverting attention from institutional evil that perpetuates these deadly acts. Instead, we pray for wisdom and courage to partner with the Spirit to transform our community by tangibly loving our neighbor and working against the fear-based constructs that root identity in guns more than Jesus.
Cole Arthur Riley, author and creator of Black Liturgies, reminds us of Frederick Douglass’ invocation to all of us: “I prayed for 20 years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.”
We also need to remember we are not alone. To that end, here are a couple of things we can do right now together though a part:
1) Set a reminder on your phone for 3 pm for the next twenty-one days and, wherever you are, as a community we will pray for government action, for our neighbors and how we are to participate in ending these senseless killings.
2) Walk or drive around your local schools. Be mindful of what comes to your attention and how we can respond in countering acts of violence in our communities.
In this time where the brokenness of an estranged world maybe more present than you remember…
Anger is appropriate—it is a sign of being created in the image of God Who creates life.
Prayer is appropriate—we follow a God who calls us to pray without ceasing.
Action is appropriate—we are called to bear witness to Christ came and lived physically in this world.
Hope is appropriate—the power that raised Jesus from the dead is still transforming lives.
With you in Christ,
James B and Renée
PS Parents, you have likely received many resources from your kids’ schools but here are a few more that have been referred to us: