TW: Gun violence, murder of children
Siblings and friends of First English: in what has become a tradition in our time, our nation has moved quickly into counting innocents as dead and wounded as a result of gun violence. You might recall from this past Sunday, that I invited you to explore and reconcile that innocents are an often-overlooked part of the Magi Story. As we move through this Epiphany season I invite you to recognize that the slaughter of the innocents continues in our time. And “Herod”, as an archetype, continues to exist alongside us. Education Week reports two school shootings already in this year, and 183 such shootings since 2018. US News and World Report offers a much more damning critique on our society in counting 384 school shooting incidents across the country in 2023.
“On Jan. 4, a 6th grade student was killed and seven others—four students and three faculty members—were wounded in a shooting at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa. Police say the 17-year-old student suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. This marks the highest number of casualties in a single incident since the Oct. 24, 2022, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School shooting in St. Louis, Mo.”
We’re Connected
Outside of the reality of our neighborhood returning to school this week, and our sibling-teachers returning to school this week, Al and Kathy Wicks were Vicars (over a two year period) at First English under Rev. Merle Franke’s supervision. Kathy reports that Al’s brother is superintendent of schools in Perry, Iowa where [the January 4th] shootings took place. It was a long, tough day for him [on the 4th], and I shudder and weep to think what it must be like for the families of every child of that school and those that died that day. 2023 has shown us that these events are not likely to stop, unless…
First, Al and Kathy Wicks were FELC Vicars (1977-1978, 1978-1979). While one of them served with us as Vicar, the other served as a chaplain at the Austin State Hospital; after the first year they switched “jobs.” They returned to Austin and served as co-pastors of Holy Cross Lutheran from 1991-1997 before returning to their roots in Iowa. They remain connected to us through relationships born out of their time in Austin.
Al’s brother, Clark S. Wicks, is Superintendent of the Perry Community School District. I’m not sure how long he has held that position, but he’s been with the District for 31 years in (it appears) several capacities, including Principal. A Google search brought up several links to recent days’ news conferences featuring him—trying to deal and rebuild, and restore classes. How godawful!
To quote Rev. Bob Karli, “God damn guns!!!”
What can we do?
Gun violence is a heated and polarizing topic in this nation and amongst our neighbors, regardless of political leanings. Most people like the nation’s constitution, some thrive under the constitution’s protections, and many people like the Second Amendment. We’re not going to debate the efficacy or intended impact of the words collected in one of the largest plagues on our existence as a society. Where a great number of people, gun owners included, agree is: gun control is a step in the right direction.
Supporting candidates whose platform supports gun control is a good step.
Getting connected to a community that is working with our local leaders to engage gun control conversation and legislation is another good step. Who can you connect with? Excellent question, here are some places you might start:
Texas Impact , Polarization versus Peacemaking
Prayer is always a good option and I would invite you to understand the invitation that prayer can be to us to get involved, and engage action around civic policy and legislative change.
“Most of us don’t live in an agrarian culture with divinely appointed monarchs. My faith tradition doesn’t offer animal or grain sacrifices, but we do hold vigils, we do pray, we do lament, we do oppress, we do cause harm and enact violence. The ways we engage with our faith and the world have changed, but the heart of God’s call through Amos remains the same: Care for the well-being of each person. Adapting Amos draws us closer to the text, connecting and calling us to action in the world.”
Photo, Protestor holding a sign during the rally in the Texas Capitol to demand age increase for AR-15 sales. Patricia Lim /KUT
Excerpts, Ewing, Emily E. “God Will Not Accept Your Thoughts and Prayers.” Sojourners, June 2, 2022. https://sojo.net/articles/god-will-not-accept-your-thoughts-and-prayers.