The United Church of Christ, in collaboration with the Central Pacific Conference, has released a joint statement lifting up in prayer the families, friends, and communities in the wake of the tragic shooting in Bend, Oregon, and condemning yet another act of gun violence that resulted in the loss of five lives. Those who died included three children attending the school, one adult, and the teenage perpetrator of the shooting.
“For more than 30 years, the United Church of Christ has advocated for stricter gun laws, public health approaches, and community action to end the epidemic of gun violence in the United States,” the statement, which was authored by UCC General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, and Central Pacific Conference Minister, the Rev. Tyler Connoley said. “Our members in Oregon have long been strong voices for sensible gun laws in the state, and we amplify their voices for justice, health, and wholeness today.”
All three students were inside a special needs classroom at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, at the time of the shooting, according to officials. One of the students was identified as 5-year-old Rowan Summer. The other students, an 8-year-old boy and an 11-year-old boy, also died, and their names aren’t being released at the request of family members, according to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz at a press conference Friday.
“Thursday’s school shooting is the 42nd recorded school shooting in the US this year,” reads the statement. “Tragically, our schools have become places of fear and anxiety, rather than institutions of learning and growth for our children and teachers.”
The teacher who was killed in the shooting was identified as 25-year-old Meghan Lambert. Her family said Lambert was working her “dream job” and described her as having a big heart, according to a statement read at the press conference.
The suspected shooter was also killed, by a father who has two children of his own at the elementary school.
The full statement, along with a prayer can be read below:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. – Psalm 46:1-2
It is with great sadness that we learn of yet another school shooting that claimed the lives of three children and one adult, as well as the life of a teenager who was the perpetrator of the shooting. We mourn with the families, friends and communities that lost these loved ones.
For more than 30 years, the United Church of Christ has advocated for stricter gun laws, public health approaches, and community action to end the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. Our members in Oregon have long been strong voices for sensible gun laws in the state, and we amplify their voices for justice, health, and wholeness today. We mourn with the families and communities who are experiencing grief and loss in Bend, Oregon. We pray especially for the families who lost children and the family of the teacher. May they find peace and comfort in the days ahead. We pray for all those injured and their caregivers. We pray for those who mourn.
Thursday’s school shooting is the 42nd recorded school shooting in the US this year. Tragically, our schools have become places of fear and anxiety, rather than institutions of learning and growth for our children and teachers. While politicians and those elected to serve the public interest continue to fight over passing sensible gun laws, our nation fails to meet the basic need to protect the most vulnerable. The United Church of Christ strongly condemns these acts of violence and renews our calls for policy change and civil discourse in our communities. We join our hearts with those who mourn, praying for a time when violence shall no longer be heard in our land. (Isaiah 60:18)
God of peace that passes all understanding, we pray for your healing Spirit. We pray for those whose lives are lost to violence, that you would hold them in your everlasting embrace. Hold close their loved ones and grant them comfort in their grief. We pray for the perpetrator of this violence, that he might find repentance and transformation beyond this life. We pray for our schools – for administrators and teachers, staff and helpers, children and their families. Protect them, Holy God, from the violence that has shattered lives. We pray for our nation, that we might one day end the cycles of violence, and find a better path toward peace.
Amen.
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson General Minister and President, National Ministries of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Tyler Connoley, Conference Minister Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ
Join the UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in calling on Congress to stand against gun violence. Click below to send a message to your representative and urge action. SEND A MESSAGE
Learn more about the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ’s Resolution of Witness and Action on Gun Violence and Reform.
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