Dear friends in Christ,

Like many of you, I am heartbroken today to learn of two school shootings right here in the Rocky Mountain Synod: a shooting at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, CO that injured three young people under 18, including the shooter who died of self-inflicted injuries; and a shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT that has killed 31-year-old Charlie Kirk in what appears to be a targeted act of political violence.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

I have spoken with our Utah conference dean, Pastor Brigette Weier, and with the pastor of Evergreen Lutheran Church, Pastor Terry Schjang; please read their wise and powerful words offered in this special issue. I have shared with them that the prayers of our whole synod are with all those affected: in relief and gratitude for those who are safe; in fervent hope of recovery for injured victims; in sorrow for the death of Mr. Kirk, that God’s loving presence may comfort his wife, young children, and loved ones; and in grief for the widespread trauma that is rippling out into these communities and beyond. I know that for too many of us, today’s shootings are also a terrible echo of past violence in Littleton, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and many other communities in our synod. Our hearts are with you. I encourage all who are struggling with this news to reach out to your pastor or deacon, to a mental health professional, or to a trusted friend or family member. You are not alone.

In the wake of yet more gun violence and yet more political violence in our nation, we are bound to find ourselves surrounded by arguments about causes and solutions. Each of these tragic events has its own story; and I implore us as members of the body of Christ to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) by remembering that every child and adult whose life is impacted or ended by violence is a beloved child of God. I ask us to remember that today’s pain is not just another statistic, but a fresh and deep wound for our neighbors, and a resurfacing of trauma for many who have endured and survived other acts of violence. Let us be tender with one another, and bear with one another in love.

At the same time, as people of faith called to speak the truth in love, we cannot ignore that school shootings and political violence are no longer isolated events. Our neighbors in Minnesota are still reeling from the shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School just two weeks ago, and the killing earlier this summer of MN Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in another politically-motivated attack. I know that many of us are grieving, not only each incident of violence, but all of them together—and grieving the political systems that seem to trap our country in a loop where “thoughts and prayers,” however heartfelt and faithful, do not lead to meaningful action or real solutions.

As Christians, we pray for God to act; and we also pray for God to empower us to act. As we pray for God to bind up, restore, heal, comfort, and embrace those left wounded in body, mind, and spirit by these attacks, we also pray for God to empower us to change and advocate for the world God intends: a world in which schools are a place of safety, and the loved ones we send out into the world each day come home safely to us each night. As we pray for an end to gun violence and political violence, let us also pray for the strength and courage to do the hard work that can prevent and lessen this violence.

We pray these things not because we alone are able to do them, but because our hope and trust—the source of all we are able to do—is the God of Jesus Christ. As Jesus healed the wounds of others, accepted the wounds of the world on the cross, and rose to new life in resurrection, so now Jesus lives and is present in every place of woundedness: including classrooms where children and teachers crouch in fear, hallways where medical staff work tirelessly to tend to injuries and save lives, and all places where our voices cry out on behalf of the suffering of our neighbors.

May we persist in prayer, in compassion, and in action, for the sake of the world God so loves that God sent Jesus not to condemn the world but to save it. Come quickly, Lord; and show us the way.

In Christ,

Bishop Meghan

We lament the senseless gun violence that permeates our society today and this afternoon assaulted us here in Utah as we witnessed videos and stories of fear, shock, trauma and death from Utah Valley University.

We are heartsick for the needless and cruel death of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old young man who is one of God’s own beloved children. We pray for God’s mercy, compassion and grace to surround his family and friends as they mourn. We all grieve when violence is a response to differences. We abhor and condemn political violence; it has no place in any democratic, free and just society. We pray, as well, for the perpetrator. We grieve for their choices and the consequences that they may incur. Our scripture implores us to turn our swords into plowshares; turn away from what brings death to what sows seeds of life. We pray that it may begin with us.

The Utah Conference of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, joins our fellow Utahns to seek non-violent and peaceful means to bridge divisions. We seek the welfare of all our neighbors, to proclaim the good news of the love of God through Jesus Christ throughout the world, to be peacemakers, and to build authentic and caring relationships that create healthy and vibrant communities where violence, hate, harm and disdain are eradicated.

We pray for God to have mercy on us all.

Rev. Brigette Weier

Pastor, St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Dean Utah Conference, RMS, ELCA

Those of us in the Evergreen community have all been touched in some terrifying or shocking way today. Unfortunately, it is likely an experience that we will never forget—whether hearing shots and sirens, trying to remember each entrance to a space and turn off lights, and most importantly, scanning our brains to recall who is or was in the immediate vicinity: who are our congregation’s kids, our neighbor’s kids, the teachers, people walking their dogs along the road, and beyond. 

We know we are not the only ones impacted. We are a closely knit community that typically feels safe here—not today. But today has also been filled with messages from so many beyond our neck of the woods who have reached out to say, “We’re praying for you.” “I’m holding the weight with you.” To all of you from all of us, we say thank you. We also do not know what we need right now.

What we knew immediately was that as soon as roads were cleared, faith leaders wished to gather. 

Three congregations, who have held many ecumenical services in town before now, gathered at 5:30 pm today for prayer, scripture, and time to ask questions and voice what their fear was in the moment, their relief when they learned their child had been able to safely run into the woods, and their grief to learn of the other children of God who could not. 

Psalms can be a gift. The words of Paul can be a gift. Prayer and more prayers are a gift. Those who could get through the police blockades and were not too frazzled to drive, gathered. It helps that the ecumenical community of Evergreen has already set a practice of meeting for healing three times a year together. It helps that our local rabbi is a police chaplain and leads our interfaith group. Community matters. Prayer matters. You all matter as you continue to pray for this community. We are at the beginning of a journey of healing we did not anticipate.  

God’s peace be with us,

Pastor Terry Schjang

Evergreen Lutheran Church

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