Today we mark again, the tragic shootings in La Loche, Saskatchewan, six years ago. Adam Wood, a friend, co-worker and farm intern at Russet House Farm lost his life that day. It was my tragic honour to lead his funeral. In the past we have posted Sylvia Keesmaat’s sermon from the funeral as well as a number of remembrances that you can access here and here and here.
Together with Adam, we continue to remember Dayne and Drayden Fontaine, and Marie Janvier.
For this sixth anniversary, I share the prayers from Adam’s funeral. A congregation of family, loved ones, friends, and teachers from La Loche and other places in Saskatchewan had all gathered. And we brought our sorrow, our tears, our brokenness all together in prayer.
Let us pray.
No more, Lord, no more.
No more weeping, no more sorrow.
No more hopelessness, no more despair.
No more children born to terror, no more hurt in your holy creation.
Lord, in your grace.
Hear our prayer.
No more, Lord, no more.
No more premature death, no more violence.
No more broken promises, no more disrespect.
No more hunger, no more injustice.
Lord, in your grace.
Hear our prayer.
Comfort, Creator God, comfort.
Comfort in our pain, comfort in our grief.
Comfort in our confusion, comfort in our anger.
Comfort in our devastation, comfort in our tears.
Lord in your grace.
Hear our prayer.
Comfort, Creator God, comfort.
Comfort for beloved Adar,
comfort for Caitlin and Eric.
Comfort for Ted and Nancy,
comfort for this community gathered.
Comfort for La Loche, comfort for our country.
Lord, in your grace.
Hear our prayer.
Healing, Lord Jesus, healing.
Healing for wounds still gaping,
healing for broken hearts.
Healing for a community, bereft of its children.
Healing for a young man
weighted by what he has done.
Lord in your grace.
Hear our prayer.
Healing, Lord Jesus, healing.
Healing for Ted and Nancy,
healing for Eric and Caitlin.
Healing for our sister Adar,
healing for all who loved Adam.
Healing for all of us,
healing from your scarred hands.
Lord in your grace.
Hear our prayer.
We come before you, our Creator,
as your broken children.
We come before you, O Spirit,
as people who have lost our way.
We come before you, Jesus,
as sheep longing for a shepherd.
Come to us, our God,
come and bring life out of death.
Come to us, Spirit of creation,
and make all things new.
Come to us risen Lord,
with a new heaven and a new earth.
Lord, in your grace.
Hear our prayer.
Amen
