God's Love in Action, St. Stephen's Ministry

 
June 16^th seems like a long time ago…yet for the people of St. Stephen’s in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, it was a day they’ll never forget. That evening a dinner was disrupted by a shooting, and they lost three church members.

How are the members and clergy of St. Stephen’s responding to such a tragedy? Where does one even start to recover from such a horrific incident? How are they healing? What is life like at their church now? Where is God in all of this? As these and many other questions come to mind,  this recent article from Episcopal News Service shares the steps they are taking to heal, and the hope that they see:  https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2022/11/07/five-months-after-three-members-died-in-shooting-alabama-church-processes-grief-and-rediscovers-joy/.

The gifts of prayer and touchable items are reminders of how we are all knitted together, no matter the distance. You may remember a box of blessed shawls that was sent for those needing to be wrapped in prayer. Below is a note from Mother Katherine Harper, which shares how not only the shawls but also the prayers of St. Luke’s helped:

“Thank you so much for the huge box of shawls and quilts. They were just right - and arrived just in time. We had a service Thursday night and shared these with all the attendees - many who had attended the June 16 event when the shooting occurred. These beautiful gifts were tangible reminders of the many prayers and great love showered upon the hurting hearts of Saint Stephen’s. Please relay our deep gratitude to St. Luke’s in Baton Rouge.

With appreciation and God’s love,

Katherine”
 
Thank you each for the prayers and shawls sent to St. Stephen’s as they heal. You’ve made a difference in their lives and are helping them heal.
 
Faithfully yours,

Becky Williams, RN, BSN
Director of Health Ministries
bwilliams@stlukesbr.org