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Called to Remain Steady: A Message from Bishop Jennifer

Dear Ones,

I confess that it is hard to find words to speak about the horrific gun violence we have witnessed in the last two weeks. From the racially motivated mass killing in a Black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York, to yesterday’s murder of children and teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, we are grieving. We are weary of lament, and we are praying that God holds the souls of the slain in light and comforts those who sit in sorrow.

At a time like this, there is so much we are called to do as faithful followers of Jesus. To reduce the scourge of gun violence in the United States will take all of us with God’s help. Every day that we draw breath, we are called to pray, to invest in the education and mental health of our young people, to deepen relationships with our neighbors, and to advocate for laws that support gun safety and human flourishing for all of God’s people. You can find resources for doing those things on the website of Bishops United Against Gun Violence and the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations. I also invite you to pray with the people of Christ Church Cathedral in a service they recorded earlier today.

Today, God weeps and grieves with us and bids to not despair. We are called now to remain steady with the generous welcome, love, advocacy, and building relationships that are at the heart of the ministry we do in Christ’s name.

Faithfully,

Bishop Jennifer

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