Christian Emergency Network Alert: Newtown, CT Elementary School Shooting

[Reimagine Curator]

CEN Alert: Newtown, CT Elementary School Shooting Today the nation sits in shock, once again, as a lone gunman went into a school and opened fire, killing 20 students, 6 adults, and the shooter. As the details continue to trickle in, CEN encourages all Christians to begin the Prayer-Care-Share Biblical Response. First, pray for those directly affected by this incident: the students, the parents, the staff at the school and the first responders. Psalm34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Second, care for others. Many people will be confronted with the vulnerability of their safety and security following this incident. Listen with an open heart and allow people to express their concerns and their fears. Empathize and pray with them as they seek to understand that which can’t be understood. Romans 12:15 – “…weep with those who weep.” Third, share the hope we have in Christ with others. Many people will question why and how something like this could happen. While we may never fully understand, we know the One who knows all hearts and loves people more than we ever could. Galatians 6:2 – “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” To aid in situational awareness, CEN has created an online response group that we invite you to join. This response group is an open forum to share prayer and physical needs in response to this incident. You can join the response group by logging into the CEN website here. To help better prepare and understand how to respond in an active shooter situation, CEN has compiled the following documents for you to use.

Every Christian ready to respond biblically to emergencies large or small. Christian Emergency Network unites Christian volunteers, community leaders and emergency professionals in equipping the Church to be aware and ready to respond in emergencies large and small.  To learn more about how you or your Christian organization can be prepared to respond to emergencies big and small go to www.christianemergencynetwork.org. Our telephone: [phone] Remove me from this list Our mailing list: Christian Emergency Network 39506 N Daisy Mountain Drive STE 122-614 Phoenix, Arizona 85086 Copyright (C) 2012 Christian Emergency Network All rights reserved.

[Reimagine Curator]

NEWTOWN COVERED IN ASHES   The horrific mass shooting Friday morning dropped grief over Newtown, Conn., like a thick cloth. A Handel's Messiah concert Friday night, postponed. A trombone concert, canceled. The Starbucks where one of the murdered teachers worked part-time closed Saturday. The crime immobilized the small, peaceful town and the surrounding area.   Prayer points like this one are so critical to the future of our co... At about 9:30 a.m. Friday, a shooter, whom police identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza, forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School. He slaughtered the principal, Dawn Hochsprung, and the school psychologist, Mary Sherlach, and then turned his gun or guns on two classrooms full of children.   Pray along with the entire grieving nation for the families of those so brutally slain in Newtown, CT. Pray that they will be comforted by the warm hand of the loving Creator who knows best how to bring forth His compassionate healing. Pray for wisdom for those left with the task of administration during the aftermath of this tragedy. Pray for God's peace to settle upon all who are in need of the Lord's comfort and grace.   "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (Psalm 34:18)   "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."(Psalm 46:1) "For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."(Psalm 48:14)   "From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety ..." (Psalm 61:2)