Pray for the families in Connecticut

As a church family we pray for the families and friends of the children and teachers who were senselessly killed in Connecticut today. As a father I can't begin to imagine the grief of losing my children. I pray that this tragedy will not overwhelm them; that they will know that God can give strength and grace in such a time. I also pray for the all the churches as they minister to the grieved.

Some Resources I found:
Prayer from Sarah Rudd:
A voice is heard in Ramah; Rachel is weeping for her children, for they are no more.
Lord God, Father of the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, we pray to you for the Holy Innocents of Newtown, for their families, and for all of this broken world. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us all.

Statement by the Episcopal 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

Update:

Dear Friends in Christ: 

 

All three of your bishops are immediately involved and present at Trinity Church, Newtown.  We are in close communication with the Rev. Kathie Adams-Shepherd, the rector of Trinity Church, who has been at Sandy Hook Fire House all day pastoring the families and loved ones directly involved in the school shooting tragedy.  There are families at Trinity that have been directly affected.

 

There will be a Taizé service of prayer and silence at Trinity Church, Newtown, tonight at 7:00 pm.  All are invited to come and pray for those we have lost and for those who are suffering.  Tomorrow at noon there will be a service at St. John's, Sandy Hook, with the Rev. Mark Moore presiding.  At this stage we do not know of anyone directly affected at St. John's.

 

Prayers are flowing in from across the country and around the world.  We have heard from sisters and brothers in Christ from as far away as New Zealand, England, and parts of Africa.  We thank God for the web of prayers from around The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion that buoy us up in this time of immense grief and loss.  Please continue to pray that in the midst of this despair and death that new life in and with God in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit will shine through.

 

God bless all of us at this time.

 

 

Faithfully, Ian, Laura and Jim 

 

The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas

The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens

The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry