Announcements

• Pastoral word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on shooting at St. Stephen’s

  Dear friends in Christ:

  By now you are aware that last night a shooter entered St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, killing two children of God and injuring a third.

  Even as I write, I am on the way to the commemoration of the nine who were martyred in 2015 at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The plague of gun violence in the United States affects us all, and now it has affected a congregation in The Episcopal Church.

  We join together in prayer with Bishop Glenda Curry, Bishop Brian Prior, the clergy and people of St. Stephen’s, and the whole Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. I want to encourage us as a church to offer special prayers this Sunday for those affected by the shooting at St. Stephen’s—and for all victims of gun violence.

  I commend to you the website of Bishops United Against Gun Violence, which has prayers, liturgical resources, and many other kinds of information.

  As the prophet Isaiah wrote (41:10):

  Do not fear, for I am with you,

  do not be afraid, for I am your God;

  I will strengthen you, I will help you,

  I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

   

  I invite you to join me in prayer:

  Eternal God of love, we know that you do not willingly inflict pain upon or grieve your children, and your dream for all is life abundant.

  We come to you now in sorrow and sadness at the death and violence inflicted on our siblings of St. Stephen’s Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Receive the souls of those who have died. Grant them peace in your arms of love. Be with those who are injured and suffer, those who are grieving, and those who are frightened and dispirited. Help us as a nation to find ways to bring an end to this scourge of violence, which hurts your children and our human family. Give us the strength we need, the courage we must have, and the faith in you that will see us through. All this we pray and ask in the name of the prince of peace—your son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen.

   

  The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry

  Presiding Bishop and Primate

  The Episcopal Church

• A Message from Bishop Hollingsworth following the church shooting in Alabama

  Dear colleagues and friends,

  As the tragic consequences of gun violence continue to plague our country, we add to our prayers the people of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and the Diocese of Alabama. We commend to Almighty God the souls of the two victims who have died, and to Jesus’s healing care the one injured and all those who grieve.

  As well, may we commit ourselves ever more fully to advocating for effective gun safety legislation and reducing the culture of violence that continues to put God’s beloved at risk. While we hear throughout holy scripture the encouragement that we not be afraid, we pray that our fear may be replaced with the courage to act boldly.

  Please consider joining with fellow communicants of the Diocese who are participating in the three Zoom conversations about gun violence. The second conversation will be held on Wednesday,June 22 at 7:00 p.m. and will focus on what to do in our local congregations. This conversation will include participants from across Province V. The third conversation will be on Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m.and will focus on what can be done in support of community and political initiatives. More information is available. While this event is free, registration is required.

  As well, I encourage every congregation to offer a book study of our colleague the Rev. Rosalind Hughes’s excellent book, Whom Shall I Fear? Urgent Questions for Christians in an Age of Violence. I reiterate my offer to reimburse any congregation for the cost of the books.

  May the Holy Spirit empower us to act with increasing confidence in God during this season after Pentecost.

   

  Gratefully,

  The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.

  Bishop of Ohio