Dear friends,
Let us pray and support young people who “March For Our Lives” this weekend. Let us learn, advocate, witness, work and pray so that violence in schools will cease.
Let us listen to the youth in our midst:
“We are praying for and standing in solidarity with those who march this weekend. As the youth, we understand the power of our voice and know that youth are capable of changing the world. We know that as young people it is not always easy to have our voices heard. But this issue affects us directly – our schools and places of worship are not safe and will not be safe until Congress acts to lessen gun violence in our country. We support the students of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida who organized this march and refuse to be silent about what matters to them. We support everyone who is marching this weekend and pray that the Lord will be present in their work.”
Caroline McCartney (President), Bennett Hair (Vice President), Catherine Stallsmith (Secretary), Virginia Felton (Treasurer), Hanna Berg (Legislative Affairs Person)
“In this day and age, 1 Timothy 4:12 has never been more relevant. The youth have spoken, and I pray that our leaders take a step back from this culture of argument to take a moment and listen.”
Bennett Hair (Vice President)
Thousands will gather and march in Washington, around the world, and in North Carolina cities, towns and county seats. As Holy Week unfolds, may our resolve and witness be strong to follow the way of the cross, the path toward peace.
Let us pray:
“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
This Palm Sunday weekend, we confess our need for the way of Christ and begin the Holy Week journey through suffering toward strong hope.
We pray, Lord Jesus, for thousands of young people who gather to embody grief and urgent witness. We give thanks for their leadership and ask your grace in creating communities of support and compassion. We pray for wisdom in public policy, for the cessation of violence, for safety in schools and public spaces.
In these days, loving and suffering God, enfold your children of all ages in the strong arms of your grace. Bring us together to Easter love, light, and life, we pray. Amen.”
With gratitude for the life we share in Christ,
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward