Praise amid grief

LCC volunteers join Shreveport, LA, community in worship after mass shooting

HELP LCC BE THERE – SHREVEPORT SUPPORT

The atmosphere around Shreveport, LA, felt like a big-tent revival last week with love, support, and compassion filling the Cedar Grove neighborhood.

Yes, the community had endured a horrific tragedy with eight children aged 11 and younger killed in a domestic dispute that marked the deadliest mass shooting in America over the last two years. But for three consecutive nights, friends and neighbors of the two heartbroken families gathered at the corner of West 79th and Linwood Avenue mourning by candlelight, singing hymns, and praying.

The grief was overwhelming, but still they praised God.

Lutheran Church Charities volunteers from Oklahoma and Mississippi were there representing LCC’s K-9 Comfort Dog, Cares, and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministries. They brought hearts and crosses for the community to sign. They listened to stories and remembrances of the children. They offered prayer and presence as K-9 Comfort Dog Persis (Christ The Redeemer – Tulsa, OK) nuzzled into new friends for pets and cuddles.

For this brokenhearted community, LCC’s presence helped them take a breath.

“We were moved most by seeing faith in motion,” said Patti Lee of Christ The Redeemer Lutheran in Tulsa, who, with her husband Chuck, deployed with LCC for the first time. “We spoke to so many aunts, cousins, and lifelong friends who were so grateful for our presence and for the crosses.”

Surrounded by a large crowd, Karen Miller, HMC coordinator for Trinity Lutheran in Meridian, MS, watched as the vigil progressed. So many people were lifting up the name of Jesus and calling on Him in their grief. Dozens raised their hands in worship and gave shouts of “Amen!”, leaning into their faith amid their sadness.

One young person, sitting in a wheelchair nearby, lifted her voice, singing songs of worship and praise. Tears rolled down her cheek. Karen sat down beside her and the two talked about what had happened that week and how God was faithful despite the sorrow.

“What a faith-filled community this is!” Karen shared.       

A pediatric nurse, Karen sought out other children at the vigil site. Many were attending, having known the victims from school, sports teams, or the neighborhood.

One young child climbed in Karen’s lap to talk. Another told Karen, “I believe that these kids [who were killed] are with God right now, and God is also supporting their moms.”

As the team was ministering children and grieving neighbors, Pastor Scott Burmeister of Christ The Redeemer Lutheran in Tulsa, OK, sought out volunteers from other supporting organizations to uplift them as they served.

“Each person we talk to has their own griefs — lifelong or current,” Burmeister said. “We all have grief experiences that need support.”

That makes the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion so important, he said.

“In circumstances like this heartbreaking tragedy, the community wants something to do. They want to participate in the healing. When they have the chance to write an encouraging message of love, they feel they have helped, even in a small way.”

The eight HMCs were moved from the vigil site to in front of the home where the tragedy occurred, each cross and heart collecting more messages, surrounded by balloons, pinwheels, and toys in memory of each child.

Early the next morning, the team visited the police precinct that had responded to the call. At shift change, the station conducts a roll call at 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.

The LCC team was present for both, presenting the officers a heart of gratitude, recognizing the difficult job they perform at the crime scene and around the neighborhood.

With a police escort from the station, LCC volunteers also brought an HMC to the 911 Dispatch Center where workers were grateful to be remembered. “They were so happy for our visit as they are often overlooked behind the scenes and may not know the outcome of the calls that come in,” Patti said.

Karen agreed, saying the dispatchers were very open to hearing encouragement. “The call center gets exposed to the trauma of the moment, and after, they connect the call to the first responder. But they do not always get to see how those emotional moments are resolved. It’s a hard job,” she shared. “They were thank for our team’s presence and the heart we gave them. We were blessed to see them, thank them, and spend a little time with them.”

HELP LCC BE THERE – SHREVEPORT SUPPORT