This evening, three people were shot, with two fatalities, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, AL, a suburb of Birmingham. St. Stephen’s is a parish close to the Seminary of the Southwest community, as two alumni of Southwest serve on the parish staff: the Rev. Katherine Harper and the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Bridges. Both Katherine and Becky are safe.
We ask that you pray for St. Stephen’s Church, for the families of those who have been harmed, for its leaders, and for all those who are responding to this tragedy.
We share with you this prayer from the Most Rev. Michael Curry for those impacted by the shooting. We also commend to you these resources from Bishops United Against Gun Violence.
We will reach out to the parish of St. Stephen’s as it is appropriate in the coming days. Tonight, let us hold one another in prayer and ask God to deliver us from hopelessness and fear.
Yours in Christ,
Cynthia
