Resources to help churches respond to bombings; report from Old South

4/15/2013 - Disaster Relief

News coverage:

The Boston Globe: Two Back Bay churches begin road to recovery

April 29, 2013

CNN: View over Boylston Street: Bostonians 'shaken' but resolute
April 28, 2013

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, 2013

The Massachusetts Conference Disaster Resource Team sent this message out to churches and clergy on April 15th:

As the events in Boston continue to unfold, we are even more aware of the challenges in the world in which we now live. No doubt, we will have commentary and reflection in the days ahead which will seek to make sense of this or allow a place of conversation. And we should.

An explosion like this is a unique form of traumatic event. There are those who are clearly traumatized by being at the event or through their relationships with those who were there. There are also those who are impacted by all they see and hear as the news loops images over and over and everyone is talking.

We have gathered resources that are helpful for everyone impacted by this traumatic event, including a section on how to talk with children about the story. You can find those resources at our Disaster Resource Team web pages at http://macucc.org/pages/detail/2504.

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.

For the Disaster Resource Team:

Don Remick

Jim Tilbe

Peter Wells

Note: Anyone trying to reach a loved one who was participating in the Marathon can call 617-635-4500, a hot line setup by the Boston Police Department. Additionally the Red Cross has activated the Safe and Well system at http://www.redcross.com/SafeandWell.

A prayer sent out by First Church in Cambridge:

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)