Prayer Fruits
Photo Courtesy of Ken L. Haigler
UM News | May 25, 2022
United Methodist ministries offer various resources for responding to violence and trauma.
Discipleship Ministries offers:
— Trauma Resources for Ministry with Children and Families
— How to have Courageous Conversations about Gun Violence
— How to have Courageous Conversations for Youth: Gun Violence
General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking body, approved the statement “Our Call to End Gun Violence,” which is #3428 in the 2016 Book of Resolutions.
The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the denomination’s social witness arm that advocates for the resolutions, also has resources on gun violence.
“We pray for the families, friends and communities of the victims. Pray for comfort. Pray for relief of the unimaginable pain they are suffering and will suffer for years to come,” said the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, the agency’s top executive. “We must engage, push and drive Congress to establish gun laws that protect children, our families, friends, loved ones and communities.”
United Women in Faith also offered a prayer.
"O Lord in your mercy, hear our cries for the families crushed with sorrow by the loss of their children and loved ones in yesterday's school shooting in Texas," prayed Harriett Jane Olson, top executive of the women's organization. "Lord have mercy on our nation that continues to deem this recurring murder of our school children an acceptable price of 'freedom.' Lord heal our collective mind and help our politicians muster the integrity and courage to act so that we can stop this carnage and pain."