A Message from the Rector - Tragedy in Uvalde, Texas

05 25 2022

With heavy hearts, we learned Tuesday of the sad news of yet another tragic school shooting. Just a few days after the senseless loss of life in Buffalo, NY, we are confronted again with the disturbing loss of innocent lives in Uvalde, TX.

These hateful acts challenge our faith and also remind us of the vulnerable, precious, and sacramental character of human life. Deplorable events such as these call to mind our Baptismal Covenant and our pledge and promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”

How do we respond? Despite our initial feelings of helplessness, we are not helpless.
Our first response is prayer. Let us hold before God the families and all those affected by school shootings. Pray also that God will heal our hearts and remove the illness, hate, and confusion that are at the core of such tragedies.

Our second response is to examine our own hearts. Let us ask the Lord to help us to accept God’s grace and follow God’s commandments to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind,” and “to love our neighbors as ourselves.” Give us such hearts that we can truly love God by learning to love God’s children in our words and in our actions.

Easter Blessings,

The Rev. Dr. Harrison McLeod
Rector