Faith Matters // M-Note 10.28.22

On Monday, a 19-year-old young man broke into the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School with an AR-15 style rifle and 600 rounds of ammunition. He shot and killed a teacher, and sophomore student before being shot and dying at the hospital. Four other students were shot and injured and several others were hurt. Sadly, stories like this have become normal in our country, except this one was in our city. This happened in St. Louis, at a school many of us drive by all the time. My oldest son Caleb grew up performing in shows at the school. Seeing images on the news of hallways that my family and I have walked many times made an all too familiar story suddenly real and personal.
 
Wednesday morning, 48 hours after the shooting, I joined a large group of city clergy in a prayer vigil at CVPA High School. There is (rightly) a lot of skepticism about “thoughts and prayers” in the wake of gun violence. If thoughts are a replacement for work, and prayers a substitute for action, then indeed they are empty gestures. But for people of faith, they are neither. Prayers focus our minds, hearts, and hands on God’s Kingdom. All of our prayers are to some extent focused on one purpose - “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. We pray for a world that is broken and sinful so that it may become what God created it to be. Prayer is powerful. It raises our awareness, sharpens our attention, and focuses our action. In some ways, we are always the answer to our own prayers. God calls us to join in working for a reality that reflects the kingdom. The opposite of all talk, prayer makes room for us to listen for the work God calls us to do.
 
In the wake of this shooting, I hope you do not throw your hands up, believing there is nothing you can do. Instead, pray for the people killed, the families grieving, the kids that are traumatized, the health care workers who treated the injured, and the brave law enforcement officers who stopped the violence. Pray for our city and a country that has no resolve to address the problem of gun violence. As you pray, listen for what you are called to do.
 
Perhaps you will write a letter to your political leaders or work for the reform of gun laws in our state. Maybe you will get involved in The Gathering’s Literacy Project that works and supports students and teachers in our city schools. Maybe you will serve others in our city, helping them to know they are not alone.  You can find opportunities here.
 
Collectively, The Gathering is committed to more than words. This week, we gave $10,000 to Love The Lou that will provide counseling services for students in the St. Louis public school system, including students at CVPA High School. This donation doubles their counseling budget and allows them to immediately respond to students that do not have the means or access to counseling. Additionally, we have talked with the school district about other ways to support the teachers and students as they go back to school.
 
There is one thought I cannot get out of my head. The gunman left a note stating “I don’t have any family. I’ve never had a girlfriend. I’ve never had a social life. I’ve been an isolated loner my entire life.” The church invites people to know Christ so that they may know they are not alone. I wonder what would have been different if this young man had been invited to know that truth. Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. But, I know this. The church matters. It matters when we pray. It matters when we give generously. And it matters when we act. So thank you for being the church. Thank you for giving financially so that we can respond and serve our city in times of need. And thank you for offering the invitation to others, so they may know they are not alone.
 
Peace, 
Matt