Bishop Christopher deForest Addresses Recent Tragedies
I am on my way to New Orleans, to spend the next four days with youth, young adults and youth leaders and accompaniers from our wonderful Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, along with young people from across our church. It will be joyous, fun, meaningful and lifechanging for all of us. But before I arrive and launch into the excitement that is the ELCA Youth Gathering – I want and need to pause and share with you, some of the struggles and laments we are carrying in this moment.
On Saturday, a young man died while attempting to assassinate our former President, Donald Trump. Two other beloved children of God were injured, and another lost his life – while trying to shield his family. We are still in shock, and unsure what will happen next.
We are also just learning from our own Bear Creek Camp that a camper, another beloved child of God, drowned just yesterday in a swimming accident at the Camp. If this is the first you are hearing this terrible news, you can learn more from this message from the BCC staff – it was emailed out earlier today. As I write this, there are no details to share about the camper or their community; I can say that they are not from our Northeastern PA Synod. The family and the camp community have asked for privacy for them as they face this unimaginable loss and grief.
Both these horrible tragedies, though unrelated to themselves, deeply shake and grieve us all, because we can see and feel our personal connections. They take place in situations we think of as safe and commonplace: a public rally, a summer camp. They come out of events and places of celebration and joyfulness. They involve children, young people and families. They are just so close to home.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we find even deeper connections, and our hearts and souls grieve all the more. But it is also in Christ, that we find our hope and our strength. And so, our prayers are for Mr. Trump and for all affected by what happened on Saturday. Our prayers are for the family and friends of this young camper, their home congregation and community, and the BCC community.
This is a time when we all need to be unified as the Body of Christ and by the love we share in Christ Jesus. I encourage our congregations, families and individuals to consider how to come together and provide support to those who are struggling and suffering in the wake of these tragedies. For Bear Creek Camp, I will be working with their leadership and Board to provide support and facilitate communication, so we all can pull together and share comfort and hope.
In our Evangelical Lutheran Worship, on page 76, there is a prayer titled: “Time of conflict, crisis, or disaster.” Here is a modified version to offer for this moment:
“O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination, unity and connection. Where loss and grief overwhelms and brings pain, grant comfort and care, presence and peace. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.” (ELW, p. 76. A prayer adapted for this moment of crisis).”
And pray for us, here in New Orleans, as we walk with our young people and their families in Christ. May they find comfort, strength, and yes, much joy and excitement and hope, in being together this week – 17,000 strong, gathered in the name and presence of our God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – one God, now and forever.
Serving Christ Together,
Bishop Christopher deForest (he/him)
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
