Coming to the First May 24th Anniversary

One of the things I’ve learned about grief is that there are very few, if any, answers. There is only the next step. We are about to take a big next step – the first anniversary of May 24th. This first anniversary holds before us a couple of realities. 

First, the loss is really real. We’re not going to wake up from the nightmare and time will not turn back and undo what has happened. We’ve known it’s real but the first anniversary somehow makes it more real. Second, we’ve done something we thought was impossible. We survived the first year despite all the times we didn’t want to or didn’t think we could. 

My own experience with grief is that the days and weeks leading up to the anniversary are often as or more difficult than the day itself. For that reason St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, in consultation and partnership with the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, is offering the community of Uvalde several opportunities between now and May 24th for prayer and reflection. 

On Sunday afternoons and each weekday the church will be open for prayer. Come and go as you like. There is no agenda or service. This is simply an opportunity to be still and rest in the presence of God. A gift bag with holy water, a blessed candle, and prayer cards is available to everyone. 

You may walk the labyrinth on Sunday afternoons. The labyrinth is a walking meditation and a path of prayer. It’s a spiritual tool that can help us find our way through life. 

On May 24th we will have an Evening Prayer service in which we will anoint and bless hands to be God’s instruments of healing and change. 

Everyone is welcome and all are invited. You don’t have to be a member of St. Philip’s, an Episcopalian, or even a church going Christian, and there are no obligations or expectations. We are a house of prayer for all God’s people. If you are grieving, searching, or questioning you are more than welcome. We are here for you.

Please let me know if there is something St. Philip’s or I may do for you.

Peace be with you,

Mike+