UPDATED
Prayer for Victims of Trauma:
Holy One, you do not distance from the pain of your people, but in Jesus bear that pain with us and bless all who suffer at others’ hands. Hallow our flesh and all creation with your cleansing love bring healing and strength to the victims of the shootings in Newtown and by your justice lift them up, that in the body you have given them, they may rejoice. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Prayer for Emergency Services Workers and First Responders:
God our strong deliverer: when those charged with the urgent mediation of your healing power feel overwhelmed by the numbers of the suffering, uphold them in their fatigue and banish their despair. Let them see with your eyes, so they may know all their patients as precious. Give comfort, and renew their energy and compassion, for the sake of Jesus in whom is our life and hope. Amen.
At the death of children:
God, as Mary stood at the foot of the cross, we come before you with broken hearts and tearful eyes. Keep us mindful that you know our pain, and free us to see your resurrection power already at work in the lives of the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School. In your time, raise us from our grief as you are raising them to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
–from Enriching our Worship
A prayer for those who have suffered trauma:
Most merciful God, bless all who have suffered trauma in their lives.
Support them with love during their time of shock.
Grace them with peace as they wrestle with the challenges of each day.
Sustain them in hope as they prepare for the days ahead.
Amen.
Live updates found here.
From the Hartford Courant.
New York Times and here.
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting.
Updated at 2:50 pm 12/14/2012
Statement from the Bishops of Connecticut
A STATEMENT FROM THE BISHOPS – DEC. 14, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ:
We are shocked and overwhelmed by the horrendous tragedy of the school shooting in Sandy Hook. We hold the victims, their families, and all who are affected by the shooting in our thoughts and prayers for healing and strength. We pray that those who have died will be held in the arms of our loving God whose heart aches for those affected by this tragedy.
We bishops have been in touch with the Rev. Mark Moore, the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook which is adjacent to the school were the shooting took place. We have also communicated with the leadership of Trinity Church, Newtown, and we understand that the Rev. Kathie Adams-Shepherd, rector of Trinity Church is on the scene ministering to the bereaved.
We are departing immediately for Newtown/Sandy Hook to be of whatever assistance we can. We will be in contact when we have additional information.
We invite all clergy to open our churches for prayer.
Please keep all who have died, the one who has perpetrated the shooting, and all affected by this incident in your prayers. May the God who we await this Advent season bring us hope and new life in Jesus the Christ.
Faithfully, Ian, Laura and Jim
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry
UPDDATED AT 3:15 PM EST
Washington National Cathedral Statement:
Washington, D.C.—The Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of Washington National Cathedral, has released a statement in response to the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This Sunday, December 16, 2012, the dean will preach at the 8:45 and 11:15 am services of Holy Eucharist, calling on the nation to address gun violence.
“The horrific shooting of children and adults in Newtown, Connecticut, is a tragedy that elicits both our grief and our moral outrage on behalf of the victims and their families,” said Dean Hall. “In a political climate unwilling to address the realities of gun violence in America, a wide range of faith traditions, including the Episcopal Church, has strongly advocated gun control for several decades.
“Washington National Cathedral pledges to pray for the victims, their families, the assailant, and the survivors. And we pledge to work with our national leaders to enact more effective gun control measures. As a worshiping community we invite all who grieve this shooting join us in prayer, worship, and action in the days ahead.”
Statement from President Obama: