Pastoral Response (to parish) in wake of mass shooting in CT

I write you with tears in my eyes as I read the news reports of the mass shooting of children at the elementary school in Connecticut today. In this letter I have some recommendations, a personal reflection and prayers to be prayed. 

Recommendations:

I urge you to turn off all news media this evening and tonight (until your children are deep in sleep). I urge you to take special time tonight to hug your children and reassure them that you love them and that they are safe. For elementary aged children this will be welcome.

For youth (teenagers) I urge you to talk to them, eye to eye, assure them of your love and God’s love.  Give them permission to talk … and keep your ears open all night. Accept that they may have a strong reaction to this tragedy or they may have no reaction at all. This is okay - teens react differently to death. Thoughtfully monitor what they are posting and how much time they are communicating on electronics. Talk to them about what they are posting and what they are texting. Reassure them of your love. Reassure them off God’s love.

Don’t try to give answers for why this person acted in this manner. Acts of evil rarely can be understood or explained. Do acknowledge with your child how hard it can be to not have answers. Bad things happen to good people. Be reassured: this act of evil is NOT an act of God.

Please don’t let fear drive your decisions and judgments. There is not a better time for the Light of Christ to alive in our hearts, our homes and in the world. Our parish family will be claiming this Light for the next three weeks, almost daily. We will be proclaiming our Hope to a broken world.

My personal response:

My first response was “May God have Mercy on those families and those poor children, those who have died and those who survived”.  My second response was to turn off the radio – quickly as Maya and Marcos bouncing towards me after a wonderful day of school, with excitement for the weekend and holidays events. Their innocence is gold to me. As father, I want to protect them always, and I know I would give my life to save their life.  My friends, in moments such as this, this is why I am a Christian. That is why I want my children to know God – to know Jesus. Jesus gave his life for you and your children. Amen and Alleluia.

Prayers: 

First: Lord God, have mercy on the families, children, teachers, first responders who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting of the children and teachers today. Lord God have mercy on the children and teacher killed today – may their souls be in your tender hands this day. Lord God, help us reassure our own children of your love. Lord God, we are sad when reality shatters our desire for peace in the world, in our lives. Lord God, may the Prince of Peace you sent to the world once already, come again – quickly. Amen.

Second: I offer you the same prayer I sent you in mail today, from the third of verse of Away in a Manager: “Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.” Amen.

Prayerfully,

Mark+

The Reverend Mark C. McKone-Sweet, Rector

Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church

PS: I give special thanks to our own educational leaders who helped edit this letter: Deb Reinemann & Gretchen Larkin

Worship this Sunday:

8am and 10am.

5pm Youth group.

6pm Advent Lessons and Carols.

Blue Christmas Service:

Tuesday night at 7pm.

Day 1: 19.6 miles

Today's walk started off as the sun rose and tried to break through the clouds. It never did. Luckily I was able to finish the walk before the rains started at three o'clock. One surprise today was stopping in at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Natick where I served for several years. It was great to be greeted by Pat's warm smile. I made a new sign for the back of pack and hit the road. The stories are amazing. One woman, walking her 11th, was diagnosed after walking her third.  She walks onward. Her small cookie business enabled her to support the walks with tips to beat cancer, expand prevention  and make "pink" cookies.  She walked fast - enabled us to finish early. She had a long list of people she walked for - in memory of and to support. Lead on. Lead on.

Day 1: 19.6 miles

Today's walk started off as the sun rose and tried to break through
the clouds. It never did. Luckily I was able to finish the walk before
the rains started at three o'clock. One surprise today was stopping in
at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Natick where I served for several
years. It was great to be greeted by Pat's warm smile. I made a new
sign for the back of pack and hit the road.

The stories are amazing. One woman, walking her 11th, was diagnosed
after walking her third. She walks onward. Her small cookie business
enabled her to support the walks with tips to beat cancer, expand
prevention and make "pink" cookies. She walked fast - enabled us to
finish early. She had a long list of people she walked for - in memory
of and to support. Lead on. Lead on.

Day Before: Walking the walk again?

Here I go again. I will be literally walking the walk for the next three days. Well actually, here we go again. I am walking with Greg again this year. Hard to believe that our first 3Day walk for Breast Cancer was twelve years ago.  Over these years I have come to know more woman who have died from breast cancer. And I have gotten to know many more woman who have been diagnosed or are breast cancer survivors. Amazing stories each time. Amazing woman, each and every one of them. I do not know what it is like to wake up every day and wonder if “it is back”. I do not have exams every six months to see if I am clear.  Like anyone living with or the possibility of a terminal diagnosis, each person I have met has an amazing capacity to keep living life all the while caring for their bodies. Most of the women I know has access to health care (they have health insurance), thanks God. A few do not.

I am inspired by the woman who everyday make the choice“ I will NOT live my life in fear or  I WILL live my life in hope”. Rabbi Kushner reminds us that bad things do happen to good people every day. The question of faith is how do people/we respond to bad things. People of faith are defined by their actions/reactions to regular life events (cancer, car accidents, war, illness, unemployment, etc). I have come to believe (and agree with Kushner) that God does not cause suffering in our lives/world. God loves you – God loves all people – God loves all creation too much. God gives us the strength, resources and companionship to respond.

Tomorrow, when Greg and I set off to walk for three days with thousands of woman (and a few men), I will look to them hope, inspiration, strength, mind over pain to walk the walk as my body will inevitably fail me.

I choose hope today. Will you?

Day 7- Synopsis

Hey y'all (southern lingo haha) today was a great last day of mission work. A big group of us went to an animal shelter to walk dogs, clean the cages, and play with and feed all of the animals. The organization was very grateful for all of our hard work. It's hard to believe that they do it all on their own! The other small group of us went to do some demolition! This included dry-walling and woodworking. It was a nice end to the working day, and the trip as a whole. We had dinner and then listened to Pete's lecture about hurricane Katrina and the city of New Orleans. Next, we went to the frequently visited Yogurt Land to get some dessert, although some of us chose to get ice cream across the street. We finished with a nice compline service featuring some music by Alex, Eliza R, Sarah, Matt R, and Craig. We are scheduled to leave tomorrow morning around 10:00 and we will be on our way back to MA. We are all very thankful for all of our wonderful experiences here!

Day 7- doggies who want a home

Day 7- Walking the pups!

Day 7- cleaning out crates

Day 7- cute cats!

Day 7- Animal Shelter

Day 6- Synopsis

Today was a great sabbath. We all had a lot of fun! First, we went to the church service in the previous Walgreens as we watched a couple of our St. D's members contribute in the choir. Mark also helping the vicor with the service and prayer. We met a lot of very hostile, nice people and went straight to lunch. From the lunch, we went to the aquarium which was awesome and interactive. After a couple hours of entertainment in the aquarium, we walked around a little, got a snack, and drove back to the apartment. Dinner was at a place called Cheescake Bistro which was very yummy!! Hopefully we will be rested up for our last day of hard work at the worksites. Well keep you posted!

Day 6- Church Service in the previous Walgreens

Day 5- the facility that provides kids some fun, education, and comfort

Day 5- at dinner!

Day 5- the new 20 ft tall wall

Day 5- on the boardwalk in front of the Mississippi River

Day 5- Synopsis

Hi all! Today was a very fun, relaxing day. First, early in the morning we went and got beignets at Café Du Monde. Then we broke up into small groups and toured some of the streets for the morning. One group shopped in a couple of shops and walked along the boardwalk, while the other group walked around as well. We had a quick bite to eat for lunch and headed back to the apartments where we met Koné, our tour guide for the afternoon. Koné shared lots of interesting information about New Orleans. First, he told us that around 130,000-140,000 people are still missing after Katrina, which is 1/3 of its original population. He added that around 90% truly want to come home. They have managed to get back the majority of the evacuates. Also, the cost of living has gone up 2.5 times since hurricane Katrina. He shared with us that 2/3 of medical facilities still haven't been opened since Katrina, and this area has the 2nd to worst medical health facilities in the United States. Another shocking fact is that 90% of the schools have not been opened since Katrina and 40% of young people (age 18 and under) did not have a guardian in their life after the hurricane came. Koné brought us around to the different districts in town and showed us both the devastation and rebuilding of the city. After the tour we went out to dinner at a yummy place called Sassafras and came back for some games and compline. It was an overall great day and we can't wait for our second fun day tomorrow!

Day 4- Synopsis

The farm work was very tiresome, hot, but extremely rewarding as they couldn't have done it without us! We took a trip down Burbon street for ice cream after an early dinner and hard work on the farm. We saw many interesting people and had beads thrown from balconies above. We saw street performers and break dancers and people in many costumes! After we walked around, we all went to Café Du Monde and Mark ordered us all Beignets which were delicious! Eliza and Sarah put the remaining confectionary sugar on their faces..lol! It was an interesting night but definitely worth the experience. Us girls are currently planning the fun weekend ahead of us!

Day 4- boys enjoying the beignets

Day 4- Girls at Café Du Monde

Day 4- oh haaaaay

Day 4- More hay

Day 4- Heavy Hay

Day 4- Carrying the barrels of hay

Scenery

Day 4- Picking weeds at the farm

Day 4- Touring the farm when we arrived

Synopsis

Hi everyone! Sorry we didn't know how to put words up earlier, but now we will let you know what we have been up to over the past couple of days. The first day we arrived and got to know the area. On our first working day (yesterday) we were split up between separating Mardi Gras beads and helping the chef in the kitchen by cleaning, cooking, and feeding children. Today (day 3) we were once again split, but a majority of us traveled a few blocks away to visit some homes that were damaged in the hurricane. We met a great lady, Jackie, who told us her view of the hurricane, very touching. We cleaned up the sidewalk and cut down trees and weeds to improve Jackie's house and the lots around her. Jackie was very grateful for us and said she used her faith to get her through the storm. She was kind enough to buy us slushies, otherwise known as snow cones and she was very grateful of all of our help. After the hard work and sweat of the day we took the trolley into town for our favorite ice cream stores. Everyone is safe and having a great time!! We don't quite know what to expect for tomorrow but it might involve some farm work... We will keep you posted!

Day 3- in front of the pile after all of our hard work

Day 3- Our work in a nutshell

Day 3- Cleaning up the 7 layers of glass

Day 3- One of the lots before our tlc

Day 3- Visiting the boys in the kitchen

Day 3- Girls before arriving to the lots

Day 2- Church service at St. Anna's

Day 2- Tshirts!!

Day 2- sorting mardi gras beads

Day 2- in front of the first African American church in New Orleans

First Day- Compline in the Sanctuary

First Day- Airport

First Day- Airport Departure

The Night Before departure.

Tomorrow morning we will gather and begin our mission trip to New Orleans, serving the Episcopal Church and the people of a city that is incomplete. We are 16 strong. I wonder how God will use us. I wonder where we will find God. Of course mission work is seen at serving Christ in others and yet my hope and prayer is that our youth and adults will at some point pause and rediscover Christ within themselves in a deeper, meaningful way. Our baptism invites us to journey from home. We travel from 02030 to 70015. From one of the wealthiest communities in United States to a forgotten people (outside of the French Quarter). We all have much to learn .... myself included.

What I know is that Mission feeds me. Will it feed others too? I hope so.

May God Bless our journey.

Mark+

The Reverend Mark C McKone-Sweet

Reaching for Heaven - row 24, seat C

Have you noticed that most people look to the sky, point up or say "up
there" when they refer to God, Heaven and their loved ones? Is that
really where God lives? Is that really where Heaven is?

During Passover, our Jewish brothers and sisters recall Moses going up
the mountain to recover the ten commandments. Jesus often went up the
mountain to escape the crowds and pray. The transfiguration happens on
a mountain top. During the baptism of Jesus the Spirit descended upon
Him like a Dove (diving down from above).

This theology that places Jesus in our hearts. The reality is that God
created us in God's own image. The commandment to love God - by loving
others (as if they were God) bind us. It is Bishop Wright's writing
that The Kingdom of God is not some far off place, rather the KoG is
in our midst. Now we have an counter argument, and alternative for
looking into space, into the clouds and at the unknown - to see God
and experience God in the present company of those whom we yearn to
see again, to look in the mirror as give thanks for life.

Today I am in an airplane, flying up to 35,000 feet. I must be getting
closer to God - right? I wonder what spiritual experience will bless
me and the two hundred folks packed in this plane like sardines in a
can? Will the folks around me see God in each other? Will I see Jesus
in each heart? Will I love God in them? Will I experience the building
of the KoG in the next two hours? Will anyone notice?

Fasten your seat belt!

Mark+

Sent from my Phone
Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet

IHN walking the walk.

Supporting IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) to ensure their great
work of keeping homeless families, from our area, off the streets. We
walked with all ages today. So simple.

Perhaps more important than raising funds is the community building
this creates. We now have faces and stories of other folks who are
drawn to the same response: "respecting the dignity of every human
being" (baptismal promise), "When I was homeless you gave me shelter"
(paraphrase of MT 25).

I wonder how the weaving of the Holy Spirit will continue to draw us
closer, draw us deeper in relationships?

Retreat night: Monastery of SSJE

I arrived at the guest entrance at 3pm, after a day of pastoral visits
in Dover, Mission Hill and Cambridge. It has been a few years since I
was here last. They have new windows, new bathrooms. The guest host
walked me up to the third floor and to room #13, Saint Thomas name is
on the door.

It is a small room, eight feet wide by fourteen feet. I had a long
list of work to do, preparations for annual meeting at Saint Dunstans
on Sunday was on the top of my list. I left them in my bag. I went for
a run on the Charles river in the cold, damp, January late day air. As
I ran, I was able to let go of so many worries and burdens on my mind.
Four miles later, I was back at the gate.

A quick shower and now I can settle down for the retreat. In my room I
begin with prayers: healing for my daughter, thanks for seeing great
friends last night, healing for those in the parish recovering from
surgeries this weekend, tender compassion for those who are in
mourning, thanks for Matthew's visit, those looking for work, those
preparing for babies, etc.

I wonder what your prayers are tonight. I have come to firmly believe
that God listens to all our prayers, as I have been able to witness
the power of prayer that opens our hearts to God's voice, God's Grace.

Plenty of prayer time coming:
The daily offices: evening prayer at 6pm, Compline at 9pm, Morning
Prayer at 6am, Eucharist at 7:45am and noonday prayers as noon.

Prayerfully,

Mark+

Sent from my Phone
Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet

Day 9: we are home

We have arrived home to snow flakes, clean public bathrooms and joy of
being home. It will take some days, weeks and probably months to
process. We have collected over 7,000 photo's. In the meantime, we
give thanks for our safe return, your prayers and the spirit of Haiti
bouncing in our hearts.

Stay tuned for more reflections on walking the walking after Sunday.

Prayerfully,
Mark+

Sent from my Phone
Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet

Day 9: Bring them home

Good morning. Today we travel home. Today we do more than say goodbye.
Today we open our hearts and lives to a new chapter, a new beginning,
new birth in Jesus Christ. We have begun to form relationships. And
with relationships comes companionship, mutual prayers and a desire to
work together. We are not coming home with answers ... But with
stories, and God wiling, a passion to testify to what we have
experienced as individuals, groups and as parishes. I often witness
missioners trying to process everything on this day. It is to much,
even for me. God willing we will be able to slowly and steadily unpack
and discover God's voice calling our names.

Last night we began that work. We all shared experiences that will
stay with us for a long time, we tried unpack, we laughed, some cried,
and we listened to each other. And so we could see the spirit moving
and forming each other.

What a gift from God. Please pray for our team, our parish and
partners in Haiti.

A view from the porch of Matthew 25.

Day 8: 9am service

Te second service was much different. It began with Jon playing
trumpet and Mark+ serving with his friend Sr. Sarah.

As the service rolled along, the rest of the group arrived to great
music! The Bishop is here today and so we were able to greet him,
pray with him. He gave thanks to God & blessed our work and our call
to mission work, going deeper into ministry. I think the photo's speak
for themselves. Enjoy!

Rec John on trumpet

Day 8: worship 7am

This morning Rev Jon and I woke up early. Quietly took showers, ate
breakfast and put on our collars. We arrives late for the 7am service
at the cathedral for children. About 1/3 of the school, 300 children,
sitting quietly for an hour and half service.

An hour later, Jon and I were distracted, during Eucharist presided by
the first woman priest of the diocese & head of school. It then we
heard the famous cathedral choir voices capture our ears and hearts.

Day 7 - st vincents

We also had a chance to visit Sisters of St Margaret's school for the
blind and the disabled. Below is the courtyard where a few boys play.

One life long resident explained that everything was working great
leading up to the quake. Then, For three months they were moved out of
the area until their school could be cleaned and the Japanese embassy
could build more facilities in the courtyard. Now, with more residents
and greater needs, they are working 1/2 the space.

I was surprised to walk upstairs into an orphanage for young
residents. To be honest my heart was warmed by their smiles ... But as
I left the room, I was wiping tears from my face. I finally reach my
breaking point. And then I saw the woman in the second photo praying,
very peacefully. What faith she had. I began to feel spiritually
inadequate.

Day 7: Hope in our midst

Dear friends,
Today I reached emotional & intellectual capacity. I felt it coming on
yesterday as the extent of the work before the church and people
seemed endless. After driving through blocks of tent cities, first
erected two year ago, we visits the Episcopal Schools:
First was the school at the Cathedral campus, we were drawn in by the
sounds of a great band playing. We met the priest in charge, the first
woman ordained in Haiti in 2003. The school began for preschoolers as
the kids grew older they added more grades. This June they will have
their first graduates taking the national exam so they can attend
college. Below is the band.

Day 7 - the Cathedral

Here I am standing at the place of the high altar - where it use to
be. We were greeted by the young musicians preparing for a regular
rehearsal. And so the work of the church continues. When the Temple
is destroyed, we learn that the church is made up of people. In a
photo exhibit at the national gallery, one person quoted said "the
earthquake destroyed people's lives, but it did not destroy their
souls". Amen!

Day 7: tent city

This morning we flew to Port Au Prince. And 1/2 mile from the airport,
we passed a tent city, slowly shrinking, as the government learns that
some residents are not sleeping here. I wonder how we will witness
progress here and discover what has been forgotten.

We'll try to keep you posted throughout the day.

Day 6 - having fun

This afternoon we took some time to visit the artist market and
support them. When we returned, the boys from school had the new
jerseys on and after defeating the boys in the grade above them, they
were all smiles.

In the evening we packed our bags, how did this week go so quickly?

After dinner we all gave thanks for a good week, shared a bible study
of Matthew 25, and then shared sweets with the kids in the house.

Day 6 - hope growing

This morning we drove 30 minutes outside of the city, heading east on
the highway towards the DR border. Kris and I notified the changes
immediately: more homes, many construction sites, etc. We stopped at a
small episcopal church, (st etienne church/school) now with 300 kids
and a priest on site (Noe hired last year). Noe reminds us that the
real work does not happen without a priest on site, living with the
people. Most priests have three or four parishes/ schools.

Then we drove 10 miles to a new university for 3,000 students being
built by the European Union. One of ten that they will build as gifts
to Haiti. One mile away USAID is building 4,000 homes (for sale). And
another two miles down the road the Episcopal church has their
agricultural school and small village being built for survivors of the
earthquake. They are working with the NGO food for poor.

8 more homes have been built and 10 more will be built this summer.
Now they need a school for these kids. They have the property and had
large tents - which have since been shredded by weather and wind.
These are very poor people ... Most kids had no clothes and they are
not able to eat most days. Below is a picture of where the new houses
will be built, the concrete blocks, and the existing homes. No
electricity yet.

Day 6 - images from day 5 worship.

The altar (notice the light bulbs under the altar)