| |
The Presbytery of the Peaks
Virginia
On April 16, 2007, congregations throughout south-central Virginia gathered in sanctuaries to remember the thirty-two students and faculty who were killed on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg.
“People were reeling from the horror and wondering what to do and say,” said the Rev. Dr. Linda Dickerson, pastor at Northside Presbyterian. “We knew we needed to pray together. So we gathered with others to find peace and hope in the midst of our grief. Children drew pictures to express themselves. One of those pictures — full of question marks — represented all our feelings.”
The Rev. Alex Evans, pastor at Blacksburg Presbyterian, said, “As pastors, in all days we seek to bear witness to God’s light and love in Jesus Christ. Yet on April 16, violence and death touched us all. As we know from Scripture, in moments of real despair God is truly present, and it is God who brings real hope and light.” “We relied heavily on the promises found in Psalm 46:1: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,’” said the Rev. Susan Verbrugge, associate pastor at Blacksburg. “At times it was hard to affirm these words, but we clung to them and knew that friends, families, and complete strangers were upholding them for us.”
“I was so surprised when Presbyterian Disaster Assistance representatives came to the church,” said Linda. “When I encouraged giving to One Great Hour of Sharing, I never thought of this sort of tragedy as a disaster. Yet it was so reassuring to hear that our grief and helplessness were ‘normal’ for an ‘abnormal’ situation. It was also comforting to experience the care offered by the whole church through their phone calls, e-mails, and letters. We compiled them in a ‘Virginia Tech Orange’ notebook that was kept in the narthex for the support of all who entered.”
“Almost a year later,” said Susan, “our wounds are still deep. Yet even in the midst of those wounds, we have seen God’s grace and love abound in so many ways. God’s hope is indeed more real to us than ever before.”
The Presbytery of the Peaks has 138 churches with 18,734 members.
Presbytery Staff
Nancy Dawson, general presbyter
George Goodman, associate presbyter
Hugh Springer, stated clerk
Robin Padgett, office manager
Donna L. Tyree, treasurer
Shawn Reyburn, acting director of camps and conferences
Mary Barton, resources and Web site
Tammy Dowden, staff support for general presbyter, stated clerk, council, and retreat center registration
Denise Pillow, hunger action enabler
Roberta Kidd, church vacancy coordinator
Joyce Russell, staff support for division of ministry and church development
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Alfonso Lopez, GAMC
Philip Lotspeich, GAMC
Dear God, we thank you for being in our lives during times of tragedy and grief, as well as during times of joy and happiness. We pray for your continued healing for those who have lost loved ones and ask that we, your servants, may continue to serve as channels of your love to all with whom we come in touch. Amen.
Ps. 97, 147:12–20 Ps. 16, 62
1 Sam. 20:24–42
Acts 13:1–12; Mark 2:23–3:6
|
|
