October 30, 2018
Contact: Rev. Jody Betten (616) 706-3549
We join together as an interfaith community of leaders to share in the profound grief provoked by the attack on Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that took the lives of eleven Jews gathered for Sabbath worship and wounded several others, including first responders.
Together, we cry out with the voice of the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted, because they were not.” (31:14) And, we take comfort in the prophet’s words of reassurance: “The Lord has appeared to me, far away, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have remained true to you.’” (31:2)
Together, we are also profoundly affected by the recent spate of bomb material sent to leaders across the United States and we mourn the lives of Maurice Stallard and Vickie Jones, murdered in Kentucky by a white supremacist.
Together, we grieve all instances of daily violence and discrimination faced by members of the wider American community.
Together, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and wider communities of the departed and offer prayers for quick and complete healing for the wounded.
Together, we exhort ourselves and all who share a vision of a peaceful, diverse, just, and compassionate American society, to redouble our efforts at reconciliation and recommit ourselves to upholding our country’s highest ideals and aspirations.
Signed in love and solidarity (alphabetically) –
Rabbi Chava Bahle
Rev. Jody Betten
Rev. Paul Busekist
Rev. Kathryn Costas
Rev. Phil Garrison
Rev. Patricia Haas
Rev. Chris Lane
Rev. Jane Lippert
Rev. Robin Long Carden
Rev. Jose Lopez
Rev. Melissa Lopez
Rev. William Myers
Rev. Dale Ostema
Rev. MaryBeth Robertson
Rev. Kathy Snedeker
Rev. Eileen Stulak
Rev. Jeremy Wicks
Rev. Jared Yaple
