Last Sunday Christy, Linus and I wore special shirts to worship marking Caitlin’s Day of Love. Two of our closest friends, Richard and Anne Rogers, lost their daughter Caitlin three years ago to a horrific murder-suicide. On the anniversary of her death, we wear these shirts to promote healthy relationships and to find a larger meaning in the terrible pain of our friends. Anne, Richard and their son Nick partnered with One Love - https://www.joinonelove.org – a national non-profit with the goal of ending relationship abuse. They empower young people with tools and resources to see the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and bring life-saving prevention education to their communities. Their website has tons of great resources to share.
The United Methodist Church also has many resources to share. This page has everything from surveys to calls to action by individuals and churches to scriptural reflections on the nature of violence- which conflicts with God’s ultimate vision for humanity. I also found a small group study around courageous conversations dealing with gun violence: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/courageous-conversation-about-gun-violence
Here are some brief scriptures to illuminate the discussion:
· Matthew 5:9, 38-41 – peacemakers, turn the other cheek
· Romans 12:19 – do not take revenge
· Ecclesiastes 9:18 – wisdom over weapons
· Exodus 20:13 – thou shall not kill
· Leviticus 19:16 – do not endanger your neighbor’s life
· Matthew 26:52 – those who live by the sword, die by the sword
Following worship and a quick lunch, we drove to Coppell, where Caitlin and Nick grew up, for a workshop attended by parents and youth highlighting the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. After the workshop everyone gathered for a group photo. I am so proud of the Rogers family, how they honor Caitlin’s memory by finding a deeper meaning in it- helping others. In a culture that often glorifies violence and death, seeking ways to bring healing to the victims- and preventing future pain- is a blessing.
Love you Caitlin, Richard, Anne and Nick,
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