Dear Siblings of Christ in the Eastern Synod,
Greetings in the name of Jesus our saviour who experienced profound grief as well as death by violence.
We are shocked and grieve with the people of Tumbler Ridge in the wake of the incomprehensible gun violence that has beset their community. Our hearts break with and for them. Our minds are confused and bewildered at the senselessness of this and all violence and are especially distraught as children were the primary victims and a young adult was the perpetrator.
When we encounter deep sadness and grief. especially that linked with surprise and violence other emotions like anger, fear, and frustration often rise in an attempt to overshadow the pain of grief. Therefore, let us be very aware of the emotions that arise for us and find a safe community wherein we can experience them, and others witness them so that we do not speak or act in ways that create more violence. Witnessing one another’s grief is a ministry. Let us do the hard work of bearing one another’s burdens by being with one another in our grief.
We often want to try and explain the actions of others in our effort to make sense of profoundly difficult situations. Yet no amount of explanation will fill the empty chairs that loved ones once occupied around the table.
Each of us carry struggles and wounds that are difficult, often seemingly impossible to bear, and yet when others accompany us in loving presence, we find that we can move a little. Let us allow ourselves to be accompanied and avail ourselves to accompany one another.
Additionally, let us look to those who might be scapegoated during a time like this, those living with mental illness, trans persons and other marginalized people and intentionally chose to accompany them with loving presence during this time. All of us, no matter our place, position or burden are made in the image of the Holy One and therefore, must be treated with compassionate dignity.
One of the most poignant, powerful and lasting lessons of the book of Job is found early on when his friends just sit with him in his grief. When they try to explain what went wrong and assign fault their behaviour becomes most unhelpful. May we muster the courage to continue to be with one another during this pain and difficulty, holding together the pain of the broken parts of the world and restrain ourselves from moralizing. The loving care and support of one another is our call, may we in doing so not create more violence.
Let us continue to join in prayer together:
God of resurrection, we remember before you those who have died from the violence in Tumbler Ridge. We commend them to your eternal love. Grant healing and wholeness to the survivors who are wounded or traumatized, and restore all whose spirits are maimed by such violence. Grant us who grieve with them the courage to bear one another’s grief and pain as well as the strength to accompany those affected that we may continue in the way of our saviour Jesus seeking compassionate understanding, ardent advocacy and mutual upbuilding and in so doing serve as your arms of care to those in distress; though Christ Jesus, God with us. Amen.
EASTERN SYNOD QUEER COMMITTEE AND BISHOP CARLA BLAKLEY ON THE EVENTS IN TUMBLER RIDGE