We were blissfully sheltered from the larger world in Sewanee the week of July 11-17, 2016. What a sweet respite! Would that the whole planet could enjoy the peaceful love we have witnessed here. Sadly, we know this is not the case. To honor those slain by violence in France, Baghdad, Istanbul, and likely other locales by now, here we offer a hymn and a prayer.
Your brother and fellow conferee, James Fitzpatrick, penned the following hymn after the shootings in Orlando. He brought it out after only a handful of days in July had passed, saying he never dreamed it would be needed again so soon. And here we are barely past a fortnight, and it's applicable yet again for the lost souls in our world this week of conference.
Your brother and fellow conferee, James Fitzpatrick, penned the following hymn after the shootings in Orlando. He brought it out after only a handful of days in July had passed, saying he never dreamed it would be needed again so soon. And here we are barely past a fortnight, and it's applicable yet again for the lost souls in our world this week of conference.
God have mercy on all those who have lost their lives without reason. Lift them up in your strong arms and hold them close. Receive them into a place where there is no more terror or sorrow. Help the injured to recover. Guard them from further pain. Comfort the families with deep compassion. Give them a sense of your presence as they search for a way to bear their grief. And pour your Spirit into this broken world. Let your love run like waters of life into every mind and heart. Show us how to confront what we cannot comprehend and stop the sacrifice of so many innocent lives.
~The Rt Reverend Steven Charleston
~The Rt Reverend Steven Charleston
