This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in [Uvalde], mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15, adapted)
Dear First Church,
My eldest daughter was 2 months old at the time of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I remember just holding her close and rocking with her in helpless lament at a world gone mad.
Yesterday, I again held my daughter right as she finished school. She was annoyed I was holding her tight and asked to be let go so she could run with her friends. I couldn’t tell her about the shooting at the Uvalde, Texas elementary school of students that couldn’t hug their parents again. I couldn’t tell her I still felt that familiar helpless lament–one that was laced this time with an icy resolve that we must figure this out.
The helplessness I get. My clergy friend Rev. Allie Scott in Wisconsin lamented to me that there was a lot that we hated about virtual school during COVID, but having more control that they were safe from these types of incomprehensible events was a twisted sort of comfort.
The resolve I also get. Rev. Eilidh Lowery in Oregon wrote online, “I’m angry and horrified. We chose this when we did nothing after Sandy Hook. It was always only a matter of time. Lord in your mercy judge our inaction and break our hearts for your justice and peace.” Our love of unfettered guns is an idol, and idols always demand the sacrifices of our children.
The prophet Micah dreams of a future where nations will “beat their swords into iron plows, and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Micah 4:3). We are still at the swords and spears stage, but we must have a resilient faith that each preventable act of violence spurs us a little closer to reasonable solutions rather than closer to apathy and surrender.
First Church has a long history of advocating for gun control legislation, and we helped pass some needed legislation in Washington State. Our own members come from so many states and histories that violence anywhere in the USA has a personal touch on our congregational membership. And the United Methodist Church is not shy from policy and practical advocacy on this topic – see more here. We are people of faith who believe political action and tenacious commitment must coalesce for the sake of our future and present.
To take steps toward eliminating gun violence, check out the 2022 Policy Agenda – Alliance for Gun Responsibility, an organization supported by Faith Action Network, and Grandmothers Against Gun Violence (GAGV), a nonprofit advocating for gun laws that promote safe and responsible gun ownership and use. See Center for Gun Violence Solutions | Johns Hopkins (jhu.edu) and read “These 7 Anti-Gun Violence Groups Are All Led By Young People” – YR Media to learn about youth-led groups advocating against gun violence.
May we resolve to comfort the wounded, to sit with the grieving, to counter those who are cavalier with human lives, and to call loved ones in the coming days to remind them of your care.
I close with the words by author and artist Jan Richardson, who writes (you can read the whole powerful poem here):
“For every shattered place. For every person in pain and grief. For you, from me, in sorrow and stubborn hope…Peace. Peace. Peace.”
Peace. Peace. Peace.
Eventually.
See you Sunday.
~Pastor Jeremy