Archive for the ‘Disaster’ Category
Prayer For Japan
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PRAYER FOR JAPAN
Mysterious God,
Creator of atoms, earth, fire, water, and air,
We do not understand all that surrounds us,
We are only a part and a moment,
You are the All in All.
Surround, protect, and give ground
To our sisters and brothers in Japan.
They feel so afraid and so abandoned.
Yet we know You abandon nothing
That you have created,
Nor will you abandon them.
Love us all into the Larger Life
That Jesus revealed while being crucified.
With him and for them,
We pray in hope.
Amen.
Written by Fr. Richard Rohr
Shooting at NIU
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Like everyone else, I am so shocked and saddened by last night’s shootings at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. So far, seven fatalities have been reported – including the shooter.
For those of you who don’t know, NIU is about 30 miles west of Aurora. There are a handful of students from The Orchard who attend the school, which makes this tragedy hit home for us in a unique way.
Would you take a moment after reading this and join with me in praying for the students, faculty, and loved ones of those impacted? It means a lot…. Thank you.
Much Shalom Needed.
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Typically, community boards are full of helpful information, fun events, etc…
Not the case at my local Starbucks.
Every day, as I walk up to the counter to pour skim milk and equal into my coffee, this is what I see on my community board.
Two young women gone missing – both within a few miles of where I live. You’ve probably heard about both of them. So many questions and speculations… But one thing is certain, and that is how sad I feel for their families – especially their little children who are going to experience Christmas without their moms this year.
May the shalom of Christ rest upon these families.
Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
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Today’s 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis hits home with me. As some of you know, I lived in Minneapolis for about 9 years and the first three years were spent living in an apartment just a couple of blocks from where the bridge collapsed. I’ve driven across the bridge a million times and know the area well.
Anyway… Just wanted to give a quick shout out to all of my friends in Minneapolis. Sorry to hear about all of this. Peace and comfort to those who have suffered loss.
Nightmare in Virginia
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I’ve been sitting in front of my computer for at least 30 minutes trying to come up with something to say about today’s tragedy in Virginia, but I honestly can’t seem to come up with anything that makes sense.
So maybe tomorrow.
All I know is that my heart is heavy and I am so saddened.
For the victims, their families, their friends, loved ones, everyone….
May God’s peace rest up on each of them tonight.
Inside Nola
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Here’s a link to a couple of bloggers who are in New Orleans helping with communications reconnect efforts and documenting what they are seeing.
There are some fascinating (and disturbing) pictures that you probably won’t see anywhere else.
From today’s post (description of one of the images on this site):
This man is three blocks from the house where I


















