Editor's note: Mark Orr, the New England Regional Coordinator for NNYM, lives only a few miles from Newtown, Connecticut, the site of the horrific shooting that took place on December 14. Here is his update and appeal from a visit to Newtown on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Please consider how you can pray and get involved in YOUR own community to make a difference as we reach out to this generation!
I sent this report from Newtown yesterday via an email to our New England youth workers. The Lord really stirred in my heart to write...it's a bit long, but I needed to share my heart with our region (and NNYM youth workers nationwide)...I know that it applies to all of us no matter where we serve.
Dear Youth Workers and Brothers and Sisters in New England--
Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to spend some time at Sandy Hook School. It was a very moving experience to walk though the village and up the road toward the school and see all of the memorials. People were walking in silence, carrying flowers, candles, and stuffed animals. There were Christmas trees set up on the roadside surrounding the school sign....one for each victim and all decorated with personal ornaments, messages, etc.
Crowds of media and mourners were everywhere in the small town center, and a huge Christmas tree surrounded with thousands of notes, candles, small memory gifts, etc. Police and first responders were everywhere. I was not able to get to the elementary school buidling because it is an active crime scene, but was able to get on the grounds of Newtown High School and pray there.
Fortunately there was no evidence of Westboro Baptist protesting at either funeral yesterday. But they have said that they will picket at the funeral of the principal tomorrow in Woodbury, Conn.
What YOU and your youth groups can do:
--pray together and then do something tangible. Collect flowers and notes (or make a poster,etc.) and drive to Sandy Hook and deliver it. I can't tell you how HEALING it was to just "be there" and pray on the property and in the village square and see the outpouring of love and support.
--If you are too far away to make a trip, you can set up your own memorial in your town or add to one already there.
--You can sponsor a fund raiser and send the funds to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund
or Sandy Hook School Victims Relief Fund
http://www.crowdrise.com/SHSRelief
or to a number of other funds that have been established.
Again, I can't emphasize enough how healing it is to simply "go" and leave something of yourself at the site.
THEN----me must be sure to MEET TOGETHER REGULARLY TO SURROUND OUR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS WITH PRAYER And TO PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN OUR MINISTRIES.
--Do prayer walks around your town and pray on your school's property (you are allowed to do this after school hours--it is public space).
---Volunteer at your school's "volunteer desk" or "information desk" if they have them. Or assist as a coach on one of the teams...or help with the school play.
--Recommit yourselves to "front line" youth ministry and going where the hurting kids are, and equipping your youth group kids to reach out to the hurting kids in their schools, befriending them, and showering them with the love of Jesus.
In my sermon in church this past Sunday, I challenged our congregation to recommit ourselves to our children and youth ministry. I know that we can get all caught up in the "what if's"....BUT... what if there had been a youth worker there for Adam Lanza...a youth worker who could have reached him, befriended him...became a part of his world and shared the love of Christ with him? I believe it might have made all of the difference.
And I believe this because in my years in youth ministry I (like most of you) have personally entered into the lives of HURTING kids...drug addicted...strung out....violent....self destructive and suicidal....and I have seen the impact of what ONE person who cares enough to love them and spend time with them can do to change it all around as the healing power of Christ works through the simple "ministry of presence" of caring enough to BE THERE where they are, on their "turf" and in their their lives.
When they know that someone else thinks that they are important enough to be cared for....it can make ALL the difference.
And lets magnify the impact of our efforts to reach this generation of kids. Let's to it TOGETHER.
All of my love and blessings to you in this time of great grief yet immense opportunity for the Body of Christ to respond,
Mark