Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is helping families affected by the tragedy on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. A high school student killed nine people and took his own life this past Monday.
"Our native clergy have been very involved in their ministries of presence and counseling," said Karen Olsen, an assistant with the Diocese of Minnesota's office. "We were told that seven Episcopal clergy were the only clergy present at the first community gathering on Wednesday morning at Red Lake Elementary School. Bishop Michael G. Smith of North Dakota reported that there is an amazing sense of forgiveness for the young man who was driven to this extreme brink -- "grace in the midst of tragedy coinciding with our Holy Week path."
On behalf of Episcopalians, ERD is providing emergency assistance to a memorial fund established by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa to assist with affected families' immediate needs. The funds will help families with funeral expenses and counseling services.
In an article published by Episcopal News Service, Bishop James Jelinek of Minnesota said, "I believe this fund provides an appropriate opportunity to give assistance in response to this tragedy for now. This fund will provide much needed relief for the many community-wide expenses associated with this tragedy."
Please keep the people affected by this tragedy in your prayers. To make a contribution to help people immediately after disasters around the world, donate to the Emergency Relief Fund at www.er-d.org, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, Emergency Relief Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.
