Marilyn McCord Adams on Sandy Hook

This new today (Monday 12/17) from Marilyn McCord Adams, posted by Susan Russell in her splendid blog, "An Inch at a Time"

Marilyn McCord Adams on Sandy Hook

With thanks this morning to Episcopal Cafe's Daily Episcopalian for "The slaughter of the innocents" -- reflections on the unspeakable tragedy of the Sandy Hook shootings by the inimitable Marilyn McCord Adams. She concludes:

"We can’t make Sandy Hook meaningful

by looking backward,

but only by moving forward,

by working alongside

a God Who is for us,

resourceful

to make good on the very worst

that we can suffer, be, or do.

God knows,

God has created us

in a world where ghastly evil interrupts,

despite our best efforts to control.

God not only creates;

God resurrects.

God makes the worst count for good

by bringing life out of death.

To be on God’s side,

we must bend ourself

to efforts that foster life,

inclusive community,

and creativity.

Collaboration revives hope

because it convinces us: 

we are safe because,

and only because,

we are loved by God!"

The Presiding Bishop calls for prayer

Presiding bishop calls for prayer following the Connecticut tragedy

'Will you pray and work toward a different future…'

| December 15, 2012 

[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori calls for prayer following the tragedy in Connecticut:

We grieve with the many families and friends touched by this shooting in Connecticut.  We mourn the loss of lives so young and innocent.  We grieve that the means of death are so readily available to people who lack the present capacity to find other ways of responding to their own anger and grief.  We know that God’s heart is broken over this tragedy, and the tragedies that unfold each and every day across this nation.  And we pray that this latest concentration of shooting deaths in one event will awaken us to the unnoticed number of children and young people who die senselessly across this land every day.  More than 2000 children and youth die from guns each year, more than the soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Will you pray and work toward a different future, the one the Bible’s prophets dreamed of, where city streets are filled with children playing in safety (Zechariah 8:5)?

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

Will we pray and work toward a different future?  This is not only the message of the prophets (including John the Baptist) but the message of Jesus.

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This week: 

    Sunday,  December 16th:  Eucharist (Communion) and Children's Chapel at 10:00

        Nursery Care available
        FORUM:  Michelle Borden, Pat Keating, and Deborah Drake on Partnership

    Tuesday, December 18th:  Women's Group, 1:00 PM

    Wednesday, December 19th:  Missional Church (quick) study, 7:00 PM

                                                    Taize service, 7:30 PM

     Saturday, December 22nd:  The Food Pantry open, 9:00 - 1:00 PM
     Sunday, December 23rd:  Eucharist (Communion) and Children's Chapel at 10:00

        Nursery Care available
        ADVENT BRUNCH AND GREENING OF THE CHURCH following