On Sunday, May 29, Pastor Joe Hensley offered a space after the morning service for people to gather and share how they are feeling in the aftermath of recent mass shootings and to share ideas for potential individual and collective action. About 15 people participated in person and on Zoom.
Initially, people just shared personal feelings and perspectives. Later we shared thoughts about action. The group wanted the wider congregation to know both their appreciation of having a space to reflect together as well as some of the ideas that were presented.
These are listed as possibilities for fellow St. Georgians to receive and consider. As followers of Jesus, called to love our neighbors, we can work, individually and collectively, to create a community and a society that values every human life just as God does.
- The Episcopal Public Policy Network is a resource which offers recommended advocacy actions based on our Episcopal faith and previous actions of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
- Create a culture in our local community as well as in the larger society that values human dignity and life, so that if someone is threatening to harm others, people will respond and intervene.
- Check in on your neighbors more often
- Recognize that many of the perpetrators do not have a sense of belonging in their lives. Community is so important.
- There are no short-term, quick fixes for deep hatred
- We need more mental health services and better health care system in general. Look at disparities across different demographics. There is a mental health crisis in the African American community.
- Hold space, personally and in community for feeling angry, sad, scared, worried.
- Check in with teachers and educators in our community to show them our support
- Recognize that Jesus rarely found support from politicians, so we can’t rely solely on politicians to do our work for us
- Wear orange as a sign of support for gun-control measures
- There is going to be a march in Washington, D.C. on June 11
- Be aware of our own violent words and our exposure to violence in media
- Be there for each other and support each other
- Avoid extremist rhetoric
- Examine what leads to a rage culture
- Challenge stereotypes of mental illness: most mentally ill people do not hurt people. Many murders are committed by people who are not mentally ill.
- Learn to regulate our nervous systems through somatic practices
- Write letters to the editor
- Post helpful comments and resources on social media about evidence-based strategies for reducing gun-violence
If you are struggling and would like to speak with a member of clergy, please contact our church office.
St. George’s will offer a Sacred Ground Dialogue Circle beginning January 9, 2022. Sacred Ground, a sensitive, prayerful resource of the Episcopal Church, creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism. It invites participants to walk back through history to peel away the layers that brought us to today, reflecting on family histories and stories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story. It holds as a guiding star the vision of beloved community – where all people are honored and protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.
It’s time to watch for miracles. It’s time to wait for the birth of the Messiah. It’s time to wonder at the unfailing light and love of God. Advent is here.