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Thanks
from the Whitehaven Circuit
The
members of the Whitehaven circuit would like to thank everyone who sent
messages of concern and support and all those who are praying for us
after the tragic shootings on June 2nd.
So many people from
other circuits (including the churches at Hungerford and Aberfan),
previous Whitehaven circuit ministers, Christian Aid, Smile
International, the Methodist Church in Argentina (with which our
district is linked) and even a school in Zimbabwe sent letters, e-mails
or made ’phone calls all expressing prayerful support.
Words
cannot adequately express the comfort gained from knowing that people
throughout the country were praying for us as we struggled to accept
what had happened.
The district chair, Rev Richard Teal and our
superintendent minister, Rev Philip Peacock, stood with their
ecumenical colleagues in torrential rain to lead our communities in
outdoor services and their pastoral care is much appreciated.
After
all the trauma and shock, all the media bustle and attention, our
communities are grieving and caring for each other. God’s love will
sustain us as we face the future.
Thank you from all of us.
DCO
for the Whitehaven Circuit
Report from Alistair Smeaton - URC Minister, 14 June 2010.
Over the last week and a half churches and their ministers have been
involved in a great deal of activity to support individuals directly
affected and the community more generally. Some of this had been
public, in particular: organising and leading services on the afternoon
and evening of June 6th, co-operating with the Borough Council in the
Memorial events on Wednesday 9th, and the funeral services that have
taken place to date. Ministers have given media interviews when they
thought it would be helpful.
But
much of the churches role in the response has been more personal and
private: churches have been open for prayer; candles have been
available to light when that is appropriate for that Christian
tradition; Christian ministers have been in touch with schools around
the area where they already have a relationship whether they are church
schools or not; ministers and others have been listening, standing with
people and praying on their own and with others for individuals and the
communities.
Patterns of belonging mean that, although the
events all happened in Copeland, these events have also both affected
people who attend churches in Allerdale and that churches in allerdale
have been involved in the wider network of support. The churches have
sought to work in partnership with the British Red Cross, Copeland
Council, libraries, the NHS, and other agencies. In Seascale, Shackles
Off, a church led young people's project, has become a resource for
internal community support more generally. The focus for this week is
likely to be the remaining funeral services and then beyond that we
will be moving into a different phase.
Prayer
Creator God,
you are like a mother and father to us,
cradling us in your loving arms
and nurturing us as we grow.
Risen Lord Jesus,
you are a friend and brother to us,
rejoicing with us in our successes and weeping with us in our grief.
Spirit of God,
you are our comforter and strengthener,
healing our inner wounds and giving us courage to face our
fears.
Give us the support that we need
to face today and the days and weeks ahead;
and reassure us in the knowledge that
nothing can separate us from your presence and love. Amen.
Philip Peacock
Abridged prayer used at Seascale ‘Gathering
Together’ on Sunday June 6th 2010.
Letter from the Methodist Conference, Portsmouth
Messages of Love, Concern
and Prayerful Support received following the events of June 2nd
Hymn by Andrew Pratt
used at the Circuit Meeting on 9 June 2010
Statement from Cumbria
church leaders on the shootings that took place in West Cumbria on
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Seascale Youth Project
'Shackles Off' Newsletter - special edition
Message from Argentina
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