Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

I arrived at synod assembly, the annual gathering of ELCA churches in our region, Friday morning full of energy and enthusiasm for the day. I was late because Sophia had a school event. I walked into the ballroom planning find our Lord of Life team and excited to hear what they had learned. Moments later Bishop Rhinehart stepped to the microphone and very seriously announced “authorities are estimating as many as 8 are already dead.” I looked to my table-mates bewildered by this announcement. Before I could ask the question they all responded with an audible grief, “there was another school shooting, this time in Santa Fe, Texas.”

My enthusiasm dropped away and my body collapsed into my chair under the weight of grief I now felt in the room.

Later in the day, when more information had come in, Bishop Rhinehart placed ten candles on the altar that was centered in the hotel ballroom. One candle for each of the dead. One flame for each life that was taken from this world and brought into new life in Christ.

As I have said to you all before, it seems like these things just keep happening. I wish that I did not have to write you under these circumstances but it seems to me that we as followers of Christ have a deep responsibility in moments such as this. And so, I write this letter through my own grief imploring us to move together towards a common goal.

The goal is simple: join one another in prayer.

I will be the first to admit that in the face of another a tragedy praying seems like an easy way out. However, I cannot think of a better place to start. At this point we can all agree that something needs to be done. The problem is that we cannot seem to agree on what that is. Instead of doing something nothing changes and we see more of the same.

So, I invite us to pray. Pray for the families of those who were killed. Pray for the students, faculty, staff, and community of Santa Fe. Pray for the kids and teachers who return to school on Monday. Pray for the parents who worry that their child may not come home. But above all pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we as the people of God at Lord of Life might be shown a path toward a safer and more just world for our children. On this Pentecost weekend as we celebrate the power of the Spirit coming to the early Church may we be blessed with this same power, courage, and wisdom to live into an unknown future.

As we join in prayer I also remind you that I and the congregation of Lord of Life are here for you. My door is always open. If you or your friends, neighbors, or colleagues need a place to talk, to cry, to ask questions, or to simply be, we are here. May our community at Lord of Life always remind you that none of us are alone in this journey.

May God bless you and keep you. May Christ walk by your side. May the Holy Spirit guide your feet forward, now and forever.

God loves each of you and I do too,

Pastor David