As we celebrate this Second Sunday of Christmas and begin the New Year 2020, we do so with heavy hearts as we consider the tragic events that took place last weekend in Texas and New York. This past Sunday, two people were murdered during worship at the West Freeway Church of Christ in Texas and the day before five people were attacked at the home of a rabbi in New York during Hanukkah worship.
These two horrific events remind us, once again, of a tragic new reality. Places of worship, once thought of safe havens immune from acts of violence, are targets of the same kind of senseless violence that we have witnessed in schools, malls, and other public venues.
I want to assure you that we at St. Paul’s are responding to this new reality. In 2018, we formed a Safety and Security Task Force to help address safety issues that include active shooter emergencies. Following a protocol endorsed by law enforcement, more than 70 church members (including clergy, staff, and lay liturgical ministers) have undergone an active shooter and other emergency response training program. An additional training will be offered at a soon to be determined date. Our ushers and other key personnel are equipped with communication devices in case of an emergency during worship.
This Sunday, we are adding an additional, significant safety measure to our Sunday worship security. We will have a police officer stationed in a patrol car in front of the church on Swinton Avenue. This additional security measure will serve as a significant deterrent and give us the peace of mind of knowing that we have a trained law enforcement officer on campus during Sunday morning worship.
As we all stay vigilant and do our part to make our gatherings safe, be assured that we, as a church community, are well prepared. Let us continue to pray to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to free us from our violent ways and to bring us peace.
In Christ, Our Light,
Fr. Paul+