The following letter to Bishop Charlene Kammerer of the South Eastern Jurisdiction, which includes Virginia, offers prayers and support in the wake of the tragedy on Virginia Tech's campus.  Rev. R. Randy Day, general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, conveys our collective grief, shock, and solidarity:

Bishop Charlene Kammerer
Virginia Area
The United Methodist Church

Dear Bishop:

We are stunned and saddened by the great tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg. Such violence and carnage stretch the limits of the imagination in terms of both the reasons and impact on families and society in general.

The directors and staff of the General Board of Global Ministries are in prayer for you, the loved ones of those killed and wounded, the Virginia Tech community,  and all of the people of the Commonwealth in this time of grief, and, no doubt, also of anger and bewilderment. I know that you will offer strong pastoral leadership during this crisis.

The rampage in Blacksburg offers further indication of too many guns, too freely available in this country and around the world.

Please let me know if there are ways in which this agency can be of assistance to you, the families, the ministry of the Tech Wesley Foundation, and the congregations that serve the university.

May God grant us the grace to remain steadfast in faith on all occasions.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

R. Randy Day
General Secretary
General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church

	See Also... Topic: Children |  Christian love |  Communities |  Education |  Emergencies |  United Methodist Church |  Violence |  Youth |  Geographic Region: United States |  South Eastern U.S. |  Source: GBGM Press Releases
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Date posted: Apr 17, 2007