Over the years, we have had the solemn privilege of leading people through difficult, even unthinkable moments. The most common communal grief that we have returned to is that of the loss of life due to gun violence. The liturgy provided above has been adapted many times and updated many times. Years ago, when the first liturgy was compiled, it was the UCC resources from Rev. Matthew Crebbin of Newtown, CT, that was most helpful. Never would we wish to need his wisdom again, yet here we are. We offer this liturgy to remind us of the sacredness of life and to speak the names of those lost with sorrow and remembrance.

Platitudes are not enough. It is difficult to discern the role of prayer in such daunting times. One of our heroes, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, responded to the critiques he was wasting time away from his real work while marching with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by reflecting on the relationship between prayer and protest.

“For many of us the march from Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips and walking is not kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying.”

Mother Teresa offered another take on the role of prayer in the midst of suffering.

“I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.”

However, you engage with the events in Dallas, Laguna Hills, Buffalo, Ulvade, or wherever violence has taken hold, know that we believe your life matters, and we are grateful for you.