News
On Saturday night our neighbourhood experienced a tragedy that has reverberated grief across our nation. Our street, which moments before was filled with festivities, is now full with mourning. It turned from joy to sorrow and it’s clear today that our neighbourhood now bears a wound that will leave a permanent scar.
As we try to respond faithfully as a church, to play our part in being present with those who are grieving and bringing healing to those who are hurting, we are called first to pray.
We are exploring ways in which we can practically help the families and communities of those most affected, but this is something that will become clear over time. I feel a sense of urgency to take my grief somewhere – to do something tangibly useful, helpful – but, for now, that’s in the hands of the medical staff, the counsellors, and those in closest proximity to the families affected. Our practical involvement as a church is to be present and prayerful. To take our grief to God, and to support others in doing the same.
As such, I want to direct you in two ways:
1. A place to grieve and lament
Our building is going to be open all week between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M as an open and quiet space to come and pray either by yourself, as a group, or with one of our Pastoral Team. This is open to anyone in the neighbourhood and wider community.
2. Evening of Prayer (Saturday)
We will end this week by hosting an evening of prayer on Saturday, May 3rd at 7:00 P.M. This will be a time of lamentation and intercession for the families and communities affected by Saturday’s events. All are welcome to join.
Lastly, if you are struggling to know what to pray, here are some words you could pray:
O God who gathers what has been scattered.
Shelter us now in the shadow of your wings
O Christ who binds our wounds,
Be our great healer.
O Spirit who enters our every grief,
Intercede for this hurting people, in this broken land.
Be present in the midst of this far-reaching pain, O Lord, for we are reeling again, at news of another loss of life that touches us all; news of flourishing diminished; of individuals harmed; of pain imposed, not only upon the victims and their families who bear now the immediate brunt of it – but also upon our neighbourhood and nation. For we are connected as a people, and this hurt, this grief, touches us all.
Engage our imagination and move our hearts to compassion, O Lord, that we would interact with these casualties, not as news stories, but as our own sisters and brothers, flesh and blood, divine image-bearers, irreplaceable individuals whose losses will leave gaping holes in homes, friendships, workplaces, churches, schools, organizations, and neighbourhoods.
Be merciful to those who are wounded.
Be present with those now bereaved.
You do not run from our brokenness, O God.
You move ever toward those in need.
Your heart is always inclined toward those who suffer.
Now let your mercies be active through the hands, the words, and the compassionate care of those who willingly enter this sadness to console and to serve.
Amen.
In Christ,
Jon