LIFT at Home: Special Edition
Anne Alexis Harra
Minister for Children & Youth
Enough.

Following the news of the tragedy in Uvalde, TX, yesterday afternoon, my mind immediately turned to painful questions: Where is God in all of this? How have we strayed so far from God that we have become numb to the loss of innocent lives, over and over again? What can I do? What is our responsibility as followers of Christ?

My first thought this morning was about the families of the victims in Uvalde. I encourage you to contact your legislators and demand change. Our children have a right to attend safe schools; it should be a non-negotiable.

Pray, pray, pray for the victims and their families, whose grief can be felt nationwide. Pray for your own families. Pray for all school faculty and staff nationwide. Pray that the lawmakers whose hearts are consumed by greed and violence repent and turn to the Lord in the name of our children.

The staff is here in this deeply turbulent and painful time. Over the coming week, call me any time for pastoral care needs.

Enough is enough. We will seek justice and righteousness, and we will do what we can to bring the Kingdom of God closer to earth.
Join us for Peace Compline: TONIGHT at 7pm

Gather in community TONIGHT at 7pm for Compline in the Church to pray, mourn, grieve, and support one another.

All are welcome and invited to attend.
Opening difficult, emotionally-driven conversations with children about tragedies or conflicts can be a daunting task for parents and caregivers. LIFT has resources for families to talk with their children about gun violence, grief, COVID, and war. The page also features prayers, including information on the Breath Prayer.

The page is maintained and regularly updated to reflect the ever-changing needs of our world. Feel free to share amongst friends, family, educators, or fellow caregivers.

If you have anything you would like to see on the resource page, please contact me.
Update from the Rector's Warden: Introducing the Rev. James H. Littrell!

"I am delighted to introduce the Rev. James (Jim) H. Littrell who will be our Sunday Missioner priest. Fr. Jim Littrell will preside at Sunday services and provide some pastoral care from now until July 17th. We feel especially lucky to have him with us over the next couple months as we move forward into our next chapter."

You can send him a note of welcome or introductions using this email. Fr. Jim is also available for pastoral care during this tender and frightening time. Please call the Parish Office if you would like to be connected to Fr. Jim.
Let us pray...

Prayer for those affected by gun violence

Almighty and most merciful God, we come to you with heavy hearts and troubled minds after three mass shootings in the past two weeks. We pray for the victims of these shootings in Buffalo, NY, Laguna Woods, CA, and Uvalde, TX. We bring before you all the men, women and children who were innocent victims of these senseless and malicious men who embraced evil. May the souls of all these innocent victims, through God’s mercy find eternal safety and rest. We pray for all who are hospitalized, many still in critical condition, nearly all with life-shattering and permanent injuries. We lift all families who are facing ordeal and turmoil, and we place them into your loving arms.

We give thanks for all first responders, especially the police officers who risked their lives as they intervened to save so many lives. We praise you for the provision of so many medical specialists in the times and places where they were most needed. We bring before you the leaders of the cities and towns who gathered citizens together for peace, unity and strength.

We implore your divine help, O God, for our nation at this time. We pray that law enforcement officials will have the resources they need to protect, and to remain vigilant. We pray for our legislators to commit to sensible policies and laws regarding the ownership and use of guns, and that they also will provide resources for better mental health diagnosis and treatment. We pray that our President will provide compassionate and clear leadership to heal our national soul.

Finally, we pray for the men who inflicted such harm of others. We pray for perfect mercy and justice and, for those who still are alive, for repentance. Amen.

How are you doing?

Send me an email or call me at 215.247.7466 x104 to talk about nurturing faith in your family.

Peace,
Anne Alexis