06/09/2026
A PASTORAL LETTER FROM BISHOP BEAUDOIN
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.' And the one who was seated on the throne said, 'See, I am making all things new.'"
(Revelation 21:1-5a)
This week we lament yet another act of gun violence that has occurred in our community. The people of God across the Northwestern Ohio Synod join the lament of the people of God of Glenwood Lutheran Church, Ascension Lutheran Church, and the Old West End Neighborhood following a tragic mass shooting on Saturday evening at the Old West End Festival. What started as a joy filled celebration, became a scene of violence, fear, and pain. We lament, pray, and stand with all those who were wounded by gunfire and their families. We also stand with the police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and all who witnessed this horrific event. In the days ahead may we come together to love one another and work to build a beloved community where all of God’s children can gather in safety and live without the persistent fear of gun violence.
I find great hope in the act of one Old West End resident, who took the time to tend to the wounded. “I am not a nurse, but I knew I could do something to help”. May God be with all of those who stand and step forward during moments of violence and chaos and seek to partner with the Crucified and Risen Jesus to usher in the promise of a New Creation.
Let us pray,
Our help comes from you, O Lord, you who made heaven and earth. In the midst of grief, you are our comfort. In the face of uncertainty, you are our rock. In the wake of tragedy, you are our hope. So even as we weep, we praise you and place our trust in you. We pray in the name of the one who suffered and died and was raised for us, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(A Prayer from All Creation Sings, pg. 66)
