Nearly eleven months in the past, an unthinkable act of gun violence perpetually modified Saint Stephen’s, taking away the lives of three beloved members of our group and deeply affecting many different lives. Since June 16, our group has chosen to give attention to the love of God and the profound witness of our martyrs of Saint Stephen’s. They’ve impressed us to give attention to how the church can proceed to be a spot that welcomes all, within the hope and promise of God that life is all the time on the opposite aspect of tragedy and even demise. Saint Stephen’s has chosen to lean into Jesus’ resurrection and victory to be the defining ethic of our religion. This has been a shared effort, and we give thanks to every of you, as collectively we’ve taught each other concerning the Christian religion.

Immediately, Findlay Smith has accepted a responsible plea for the capital homicide costs on this case, and he’ll spend the remainder of his life in jail. There will likely be no trial. Due to this fact, our group can make investments power on tips on how to mannequin God’s unconditional love and be a spot of therapeutic and resurrection. As this chapter closes, we provide prayers for the households of Sharon, Bart, and Jane. We provide prayers for all of the lives who’ve been – and proceed to be – altered by this tragedy, particularly those that have been within the Parish Corridor on June 16. As troublesome as it’s, we pray that God’s redeeming love might attain Mr. Smith as he lives with the implications of his actions for the remainder of his life.

Yesterday afternoon, a concrete slab was poured the place we’re constructing a labyrinth. It’s to be a spot of pilgrimage and therapeutic, a spot the place persons are all the time welcome, and a spot the place love all the time has the ultimate phrase. This Sunday, Could 7, we invite you to write down messages of hope and love upon the inspiration of our labyrinth, in order that those that will stroll sooner or later could also be supported by your prayers and the prayers of our group. Baskets of chalk will likely be obtainable in any case companies.

It’s the season of Easter. We proclaim God’s victory as we are saying, “Alleluia, Christ is risen!” Could the hope of our religion in Jesus be our robust rock and comfort in these tender and troublesome moments.

The Vestavia Hills Police Division wish to specific our deepest appreciation to the Jefferson County District Legal professional’s Workplace for his or her tireless efforts in prosecuting this case. We’d additionally wish to thank the entire companies that assisted us with this tragic occasion.