It is heartbreaking to receive a text or call from one of our UKirk ministers like one I received last week, “We had a student die by suicide yesterday. Please pray for our community and for me as I grieve the death of this beautiful young person and accompany the family and students through this heartbreaking tragedy.” In the last two weeks alone, I have received 3 such texts. I know you have, too.
As the semester comes to a close, it is so easy for you and your students to be weary from the carrying the weight of grief and the heaviness of our individual and collective anxiety about the future..
But Jesus says in Matthew, “Come to me all who are heavy lade and I will give you rest.” On the darkest day of the year, join Rev. Rachel Hebert (UKirk Shadyside/Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA), and Rev. Nathan Wheeler (Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church) and other leaders from across the network for a virtual Longest Night Service at 4 pm Eastern (3 pm Central, 2 pm Mountain, 1 pm Pacific) on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. A zoom link will be shared via email before the service.