Weekly Outlook - It's time to ditch standing committees ⏰

Dear readers, The text came as I was getting into my car: another school shooting. People dead. Suspect unidentified.  My heart sank, and I felt the endorphins I had just built up during an exercise class woosh out of my body like cold air through a broken window. What is there to say? To do? What's the point if it's just going to happen again and again? Then the guilt crept in: You don't have the right to feel this despondent. Think of the parents, of the classmates, of the community members. Buck up. And then I went back to work. There were things to do and no "real" reason to stop my day. What good would that do? Life went on, but the pit in my stomach remained. I'm sure you have a similar story from yesterday and the many mass shootings we've lived through. I don't know if I have much of a theological message for you today other than "me too." You're not alone. I feel it, too.  Lord, we grieve the lost lives of Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. We grieve the fear and pain felt by all the students and staff at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, and the surrounding community. We pray for the nine people hospitalized and all those dealing with mental, physical and emotional injuries. We hold tight to our faith that you were with all those present in Apalachee High School yesterday, today and everyday.  We pray for the 14-year-old shooter in custody, Lord. May they know you. May they get the help they need. Have mercy on us, Lord. The pain is so large. The fear ever-present. Help us out of the hell we have created, and give us courage to follow the promptings of your Spirit.  Lord, in your mercy. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor

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