The Ithaca Area EPF Chapter, in collabora-tion with the Prisoner Justice Network, will celebrate the work & witness of Frances Joseph-Gaudet on behalf of prison reform & education for her people. Of Native American and African American descent, Frances is remembered on Dec. 30. (Holy Men and Holy Woman).
A signing of letters to New York State authorities to protest the high rate of solitary confinement in the state will follow worship.
of work for peace with justice.
On Dec. 29, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, EPF Peace Partner Parish St Luke's Long Beach, CA offered a Service of Lament at 5:00 pm Pacific Time.
Leader: As Joseph and Mary fled a violent land to protect their child Jesus, we are forced to ask: Where can we go? What can we do? How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember the 30,000 Americans who die by gun violence each year.
People: How can we protect our children?
Leader: We remember the eighty people killed by guns every day.
Leader: We remember the eight children killed by guns every day.
Leader: We remember those whose murders make headlines.
Leader: We remember those whose deaths aren't counted and whose lives don't matter.
Leader: We remember those killed by gang members, police officers, family members, and friends.
Leader: We remember those who have taken their own lives with guns.
Leader: We remember those killed by strangers, in schools, on campuses, on the streets, or in their homes.
Leader: We remember those killed alone or in mass shootings.
Leader: We reach out to survivors, to those wounded in body, mind, and spirit.
Leader: We reach out to their loved ones in compassion and prayer.
People: How can we help those who have lost their parents, their brothers and sisters, their children?
Celebrant: Gracious God, we come before you this day in pain and sorrow. We grieve the loss of all children victimized by gun violence. Give your grace to those who grieve that they may find comfort in your presence and be strengthened by your Spirit. Be with all families as they mourn, and draw them together in your healing love; in the name of the one who suffered, died, and rose for us, Jesus our Savior. Amen.