ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 6, 2009

Lutherans, Jews, Muslims Gather for Prayer after Shooting in Binghamton
09-083-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutherans, Jews, Muslims and others
seeking to "cling to their faith" in a time of tragedy came
together for a prayer vigil April 4 at Redeemer Lutheran
Church, Binghamton, N.Y.
     The church is located a few blocks away from the American
Civic Association, where 41-year-old Jiverly Wong shot and
killed 13 people before taking his own life. Redeemer is a
congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA).
     "When something like this happens, we come together
(as a) community and cling to our faith," said the Rev.
Michele C. Fischer, Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, Endicott,
N.Y.
     About 130 people attended the vigil. Fischer said the
shooting at the civic association "deeply affected the
entire neighborhood."
     Fischer, along with two pastors and a deacon of the
ELCA, a Presbyterian pastor and a representative from the
Broome County Council of Churches, led the vigil. Each
took turns reading Scripture and offering prayer.
     ELCA Deacon Barbara Hayden said she gets "goose bumps"
when thinking about Lutherans, Jews and Muslims praying
together at the vigil. Afterwards, worshippers gathered
for a reception where "people could share their stories.
That's where healing begins. I'm honored to be part of
the ELCA, a church that welcomes interfaith prayer. We are
blessed," she said.
     The vigil at Redeemer "provided a place of solace for
local residents," said Patsy Glista, an associate in
ministry and Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) coordinator
serving Upstate New York. LDR is a collaborative ministry
of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
     "We give thanks for the care and compassion being
provided," she said. "Once again local Lutherans quickly
responded to offer prayer and compassion to those whose
lives have been (turned upside down), and to demonstrate
Christ's compassion for all people by promoting hope, health
and wholeness for those impacted by tragedy."
     The Rev. Thomas G. Olson, Christ Lutheran Church,
Norwich, N.Y., spoke at a funeral service April 5 for two
Muslim women who died in the shooting. The funeral took
place at a local Mosque in Binghamton. Christ is an ELCA
congregation.
     "It was a privilege and blessing to be invited to
speak by the imam," Olson said. "We are all one with God,"
he said. "We need to find ways to be together in community,
especially in times like these."

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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