Good Afternoon Everyone,
I have been struggling with this letter for a couple of days now. The tragedy that unfolded at the LDS Church is absolutely gut wrenching There is nothing that I can say that could even remotely make sense as to why something like this happens. Unfortunately, it happens all too often in our nation.
Of course, we never imagine it happening in our own backyard. Now that it has, we are called to respond as a people of faith.  What happens when our faith is shaken to its core? 
I can’t speak for you but this has been deeply troubling. Yet, I firmly believe that God is still present in our world and in our community. I have witnessed it as I have watched our community embrace the LDS church family and even one another. We don’t always understand why things like this happen, but sometimes there is no reasonable explanation. This is one of those times.
How we respond is up to us as a community of faith. Faith will be key in order for us to support one another through this time of immense grief. One of the best ways we navigate events like this is to love one another unconditionally.
As the result of a tragedy of this magnitude, one might immediately jump to the question, “Am I safe in attending worship services?”
Safety is a top priority for all of us. Beginning immediately, all doors will be locked at all times, even during services. I am asking that one usher remain at the door at all times to greet and welcome worshippers to our church. Please remain vigilant as greeters. We must all be aware of our surroundings, wherever we are. Our goal is to do our best to prevent this type of scenario from happening here.
As you work through your grief and concerns in the coming days, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Let us all keep one another in deep prayer, loving one another and supporting one another. I am also including the letter sent out yesterday from our Assisting Bishop and our Standing Committee President.
You remain in my prayers!
Jerry+
 

Dear Friends in Christ,

The hearts of all, including the people of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, go out to the people of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Grand Blanc, Michigan. Just as so many of us were doing this morning, they were worshiping God in a place they love with people they love.  Although acts of violence at churches, synagogues and mosques are not new, this one is close to home; it’s within the bounds of the diocese and St. Christopher’s is located nearby.  Within the current climate of the news and our country, it’s especially unsettling and even overwhelming.

We are called to pray for our Mormon siblings in Grand Blanc, that they may know the peace that passes understanding. We are called to pray for the people of St. Christopher’s and their rector, that they might not be afraid, and may continue to live the Gospel with boldness. We’re called to pray that peace may prevail on earth, and then we’re called to enact that peace with our bodies. The same principles that called us yesterday hold true today as we seek to love God and our neighbors, to live in community with one another in teaching and fellowship, and to respect the dignity of every human being. We’re called to search for the image of God in one another, to love our enemies, and to pray.

Faithfully,

The Right Reverend Anne Hodges-Copple
Assisting Bishop
Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes

The Reverend Molly Bosscher
President, Standing Committee
Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes