A Time to Pray

From Bishop Marc:

The devastating news coming out of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, affects us all, and the whole body of our Church is suffering as this academic community suffers. I must speak personally, as both Sheila and I are graduates of Virginia Tech. I came into the Episcopal Church through the Episcopal College ministry there. As I think about the interconnected community of students, faculty, and staff in that rural, beautiful part of Virginia, such a senseless act is all the more poignant and indeed confusing.

I ask the people of this Diocese, people of such deep prayer, who keep in their hearts the concerns of communities and peoples throughout the world, to hold with those ongoing prayers particular concerns for this suffering community in Blacksburg. The parish serving the town and university is Christ Church, Blacksburg.

Everliving God, the foundation of peace and the comfort of all who mourn and encounter suffering and pain beyond understanding, grant your people grace, that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Update: Bishop Marc has posted a further reflection at his blog.