Teresa’s Note: September 6, 2024

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You can listen to Teresa read this note here. Dear friends and members of University UMC: I come to you following another school shooting in our country. Our broken hearts join together, hearts filled with an abundance of difficult and heavy emotions. We are in shock. While news of gun violence is all too common, there is nothing normal about a school shooting. We are enraged. In the face of unchecked gun violence, the fire of our anger has been fueled once again. We are deep in the pit of sorrow. When we hear horrific news reports, we hold close people we never knew. We mourn the reality of death and potential cut short. Dear ones, I have been thinking of you as you carry with you news of the recent shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. In these times, it is especially important to turn to one another for support and comfort. In this week’s Friday note, I leave with you a few resources I’ve gathered over the years from trusted faith leaders. In particular, I share these words from a pastor in our conference, Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen, who is the Río Texas Conference director of Intergenerational Ministries. She writes: “In times of tragedy, it is important to be open and honest regarding current events. Persons of all ages should be able to share how they are feeling in response to their experiences. Remember -- fear, anxiety, concern, and anger are all normal responses to a natural disaster and tragedy. Try to minimize screen time and continuous access to media reports and updates. This will help decrease anxiety- protecting all persons from constant coverage and overwhelming images that may only increase their anxiety and fear. Reassure family members as they share their concerns. Structure is also important during times of uncertainty.  Persons thrive when they have a clear understanding of expectations. Knowing what to expect will provide a sense of security when everything feels out of control. Routines and schedules can provide a sense of comfort and certainty for all persons, especially young children.” I find her words especially helpful for those of you who may have children and/or youth in your lives who are aware of recent troubling events. And, understandably, some of you have young people in your life who are not aware. I find Dr. Campen’s guidance helpful for children and adults alike. Below are a couple of links with additional resources she developed, including A Guide for Holy Conversations in Your Family and A Guide for Ministry Moments. I’m also including information from The United Methodist Church regarding our commitment to address gun violence. While we grow weary of the reality of tragic news, may we never grow weary of working for common-sense gun reform. Let us stand up and speak out by writing to and calling those who have the power to advance such reform. And may we vote as if the lives of our children depend on it, because they do. The election season before us is a critical one. Writers at The General Board of Church and Society proclaim that, “as people of faith, our responsibility to participate in the democratic process is deeply intertwined with our call to love our neighbors and seek the common good.” Indeed, the choices we make at the polls have the power to impact our community and transform society. In all things, we seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.  What a joy to be your pastor! Teresa “As followers of Jesus, called to live into the reality of God’s dream of shalom as described by Micah, we must address the epidemic of gun violence so ‘that he may teach us his ways and the way we may walk in God’s paths.’ Therefore, we call upon United Methodists to prayerfully address gun violence in their local context.” – Book of Resolution #3428 2016 Find More Information Here from the Guide For Holy Conversations in Your Family created by Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen of the Río Texas Conference UMC Tips for Holy Conversation in the home: Provide opportunities for children to express their feelings Let children lead the conversation with their questions Reassure them that they are safe and loved Provide times of quiet and stillness for reflection and rest Pray for those who are affected Limit the amount of exposure they have to the images and stories surrounding the event Stick with your routine and regular schedule as much as possible. More Information Here from A Guide for Ministry Moments created by Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen of the Río Texas Conference UMC In the midst of tragedy let us gather around the table for holy conversations with God and each other. More Information Here A Prayer Holy One, Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have experienced senseless gun violence in their lives and communities. We recognize, however, that this isn’t enough. We do not want to be desensitized to violence. Stir something deep within that empowers us to stand up to violence of all kinds but most especially to the violence that hurts all of God's children. Give us words to speak truth to power. Show us how to use our hands, our feet, and our hearts because we know that you require more from us in these times. Provide us with the strength only you can provide as we seek to protect all of your children. We pray for the healing of those who are in critical condition, for the parents and families who are grieving, and for our communities that have suffered a great loss. Amen. – written by Aimee Cox, Director of Children's Ministry at Christ United Methodist Church 2409 Guadalupe Street Austin, Texas 78705 512-478-9387 Want to change how you receive emails from us? Click here to update your preferences or unsubscribe or unsubscribe from this list