[ecm] Virginia Tech shootings

Mon Apr 16 18:13:26 EDT 2007

            If you haven't seen it, I thought you would all like to know
about how, even in these early hours following the event, the Canterbury
House Episcopal Ministry at Virginia Tech is responding there, and that all
of the students associated with that ministry are apparently accounted for
and OK.  

I've also included a link to the response on the web site of Christ
Episcopal Church in Blacksburg, VA.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84976_ENG_HTM.htm

http://www.christchurchblacksburg.org/vt-tragedy.html

Peace -

Beckett Stokes, Director of Communications

The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado

ph - 303-837-1173, xt. 21 fax - 303-837-1311

bstokes at coloradodiocese.org

www.coloradodiocese.org

Episcopal Campus ministry reaches out in response to campus shooting

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, April 16, 2007 

[Episcopal News Service] Members of the Canterbury House Episcopal ministry
on the campus of  <http://www.vt.edu> Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University plan to gather on the evening of April 18 for a memorial
and healing service, following an April 16 shooting spree at the school
which is being called the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. 

The Rev. Elizabeth Morgan, interim rector of
<http://www.christchurchblacksburg.org> Christ Episcopal Church, Blacksburg,
Virginia, said she was able to check on the small number of students who
live at the Canterbury House and all are accounted for.

"They're fine," she told ENS.

A gunman opened fire in a dorm and classroom at Virginia Tech, killing 32
people and wounding another 24 before he was killed, according to the
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/16/AR200704160
0533_pf.html> Washington Post.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said that the people of the
Episcopal Church are shocked and saddened by the shootings at Virginia Tech.
"We hold in our prayers the students, faculty, and staff of that
institution, their families, and all affected by today's events," she said
"As we begin to confront this senseless loss, we will continue to pray for
all who grieve and search for understanding."

"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of
monumental proportions," Virginia Tech president Charles Steger said at a
news conference. "The university is shocked and indeed horrified that this
would befall us."

The university reported shootings at opposite sides of the 2,600-acre
campus, beginning at about 7:15 a.m. at West Ambler Johnston, a co-ed
residence hall that houses 895 people, and continuing about two hours later
at Norris Hall, an engineering building.

One student was killed in a dorm and the others were killed in the
classroom, according to Virginia Tech Police Chief W.R. Flinchum.

After the shootings, all entrances to the campus were closed and classes
canceled through Tuesday.

A service of Evening Prayer in remembrance of the deaths and injuries from
the shootings was planned for 6 p.m. April 16 at
<http://www.stjohnsroanoke.org> St. John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke,
Virginia.

The  <http://www.canterbury.org.vt.edu> Canterbury Fellowship ministry on
the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg is part of Christ Church's outreach
work.

Morgan said the town was virtually locked down after the shootings. She and
her staff could hear the wail of sirens all morning but "now it's deadly
silent."

The AP reported that students on campus communicated via cell phones and the
internet while the shooting was going on.

Morgan said residents had some trouble communicating as telephones,
especially cellular phones, were experiencing service trouble. The problems
could have been due to the high winds of a nor'easter storm that began
hitting the east coast of the United States on April 15 and continued into
April 16. Morgan reported that medical-evacuation helicopters were grounded
because of the winds.

The Christ Church staff held a prayer vigil shortly after the shootings and
the church is open now for prayer -- 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- for the rest of the
week. A sign on door of the sanctuary says "Please enter to pray." 

Morgan said she anticipates an ecumenical response by the area's faith
communities, but it is still too early to know what shape that service will
take.

"Two of our area clergy are police chaplains but we haven't heard from them
yet," she told Christie Wills, minister of communication for the
<http://www.dioswva.org> Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. "I expect that we
will wait on planning any services until we hear from them and find out what
community services may be held." 

Virginia Tech  <http://www.vt.edu/campus_alert.php> said it plans a
convocation ceremony April 17.

Scott Russell, Christ Church's associate rector and campus chaplain, is in
Germany and won't be back until April 18, Morgan said.

She told Wills she has made it known that Canterbury House is open and
available for meals, companionship and counseling for anyone.

Wills reported to the diocese's clergy via email that there may be a need
for additional clergy to help with counseling/ pastoral visits later in the
week.

Bishop Neff Powell is on sabbatical and Wills reported that he has been in
touch about the shootings.

-- The Rev. Mary Frances Schjonberg is national correspondent for the
Episcopal News Service.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Rev. Robert Lundquist, Episcopal Chaplain

1208 W Elizabeth St, Ft Collins, CO 80521

   970-482-2668                 FAX 866-261-3507

 970-7515 cell & text        <mailto:rector at stpauls-fc.org>
rector at stpauls-fc.org

  <http://www.stpauls-fc.org/College_ministry.htm>
www.stpauls-fc.org/College_ministry.htm 

FaceBook:     <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2230590958>
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2230590958

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