United Methodist Communications
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2013
United Methodists offer prayer and comfort after Boston bombings
Nashville, Tenn.: As investigators search for answers, the people of The United Methodist Church offer prayer, comfort and resources for healing in the aftermath of Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon.
"United Methodists from all over the world mourn with those who are mourning," said Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, president of the Council of Bishops and bishop of the Germany Episcopal Area. "May God comfort and guide all who are troubled; and may United Methodists in Boston, in the U.S. and all over the world, unite with all Christians and all people of faith to serve as peace builders."
United Methodist Communications, the global communications agency of The United Methodist Church, will publicize a message of caring and hope on Wednesday in the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. An image of hands folded in prayer is accompanied by the message, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston. Through the darkness, we come together in search of the light. The people of The United Methodist Church join with all of those in Boston affected by this recent tragedy. To understand. To heal. To find hope."
The denomination is asking people around the globe to leave prayers for those affected by the attacks in Boston on their Facebook page at facebook.com/unitedmethodistchurch.
The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship has created a list of resources to help those affected cope with the bombings. Resources include articles on how to deal with trauma (including how to talk with children about the events in Boston), hymns and songs in response to terrorism, music for an offertory prayer song and a special hymn about coping with terrorism, appropriate calls to worship, and an act of praise response to terrorism. You can find the resources at gbod.org/live-the-um-way/terrorism-and-violence.
For more resources, stories information and other content related to churches and individuals responding to violence, go to http://umc.org/violence.
Media contact:
Diane Degnan
[email protected]
(615) 742-5406 (office)
(615) 483-1765 (cell)
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