In the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life we offer our prayers for peace and healing.
Please sign the pledge found at: :
I show my solidarity with Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latinx/a/o, people of color(BIPOC), women, immigrants and refugees, Muslim, Jewish, LGBTQ+ and anyone else, threatened by fear, hate, oppression or discrimination. We are all stronger together. I will do all I can to protect our community from harm.
O God of life and love and peace,
We witness the violence and injustice in your Holy Land And our hearts break.
Our hearts break for the people of Israel—
For the victims of violent attacks by Hamas
For those who live with fear and insecurity
For those who suffer from the inter-generational trauma of violence.
Our hearts break for the people of Palestinians
For the victims of violent attacks by the Israeli military and settlers
For those being denied water and food, electricity and medical care
For those who are refugees, long displaced from their homes.
We especially pray—
That weapons of war be laid down
That walls of separation be dismantled
That prisoners and hostages be released
That demonizing of “the other” cease
That political leaders seek the good of all people in Palestine and Israel.
O God, whose heart breaks for the world,
May your justice dwell in the land May your righteousness abide in fruitful fields
May the effect of righteousness be quietness and trust forever
May the effect of justice be peace-enduring peace.
Amen
October 9, 2023
As people of faith, we do not condone terrorism. We are heartbroken over the events that are occurring in the Middle East. As a community, we value the humanity of all people.
We acknowledge the presence of confusion, anger, sadness, and grief among staff, faculty, students, and the surrounding community. Let us remember to pray for peace, safety, and security for all.
We pray for the comfort of those who are mourning. We pray for reconciliation and resolution of this tragedy by working together with empathy and compassion. Let us keep anger and fear from harming and overwhelming our community and work toward peace. Let us hold each other close and do all we can to support one another.
May we be the peace that we seek in ourselves, our communities, and throughout the World.