News coverage:
April 29, 2013 CNN: View over Boylston Street: Bostonians 'shaken' but resolute VIDEO: NECN: Healing process begins at Old South Church April 25, 2013 Chicago Tribune: Boston bombings: Marathon finish line becomes a place of worship April 21, 2013The Boston Globe: Two Back Bay churches begin road to recovery
April 28, 2013
The Massachusetts Conference Disaster Resource Team sent this message out to churches and clergy on April 15th:
Keep an eye on these pages and emails in the days ahead for updates. In the meantime, let's continue to hold each other and our churches and brothers and sisters in Boston in our prayers.
Today we pray that God is a very present help...
for all those who experienced first-hand today's horrific violence,
for those who have been injured and for their loved ones,
for those who were killed and for their loved ones,
for all first responders -- police, fire, EMS -- and other public officials who are working hard to secure our area,
for all medical and trauma personnel who are caring for those impacted,
for those in the media who inform us compassionately,
for our brothers and sisters of all faiths that this may be a time of coming together,
for those faith communities in the impacted areas, especially Trinity Church and Old South Church,
for ourselves and all of our loved ones.
Scripture invites us to 'love our enemies' and so we also pray, if we are able, for those responsible for today's terrible violence.
May God give us grace, courage and peace as we seek to process and understand this awful news.
May God grant us patience in this time of uncertainty.
May God give us hope, though the evening, in the morning and in the days ahead.
May we all find strength and hope in God and in the bonds of our families, friends and our beloved community.
Yours in faith,
Dan (and the First Church Staff)