United Methodist Bishop Mike Lowery has asked the 320 churches of the Central Texas Conference to join in this prayer for Fort Hood this Sunday:

Lord God, we come to you in grief and shock over the shootings at Fort Hood. We pray this day for the families who have lost loved ones, for those who are wounded and for all who suffer from this horrible violence. Pour your grace-filled love and comfort over them that they may be strengthened by your presence and upheld by your love. Receive, O Lord, our prayers of gratitude for all those who courageously responded to stop the violence and for all who have labored in treating those harmed. Enfold Fort Hood and the entire area in your care. Bless and guide this nation and all who serve. In your goodness and by your mercy Lord God, may we be instruments of healing and hope. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.

Central Texas Methodists issued this statement on its website:

The loss of lives and injuries at Fort Hood is a tragic situation that is touching the lives of many people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones who are struggling with this loss and to those who have been injured.

We have five United Methodist churches in the immediate Killeen area that are opening their hearts and doors to these families and all military personnel and others in the community who seek solace and love. Many of the military personnel and their families are members of the congregations at First, St. Andrews and St. Luke churches, all in Killeen, Grace in Copperas Cove and Harker Heights. District Superintendent Rankin Koch has been in touch with the pastors at each of the churches, and the conference Disaster Response Team is standing by to offer assistance and spiritual care if needed.

Rev. Dr. E.F. “Skip” Blancett, senior pastor at First UMC, Killeen, is all too familiar with battle scenes and grief as a former military chaplain deployed during Desert Storm and later serving at Fort Hood. “This community is grieving,” he said. Anyone connected with or living in the vicinity of a military base like Fort Hood becomes part of the family, he added, and “an attack on any member of the family is an attack on all of us. We are all grieving.”

Like other churches in the area, First Killeen opened its prayer chapel the afternoon of the shootings and again today. “Prayer is important at times this,” Blancett said. “But just as important is the people’s need to share their pain and grief with others.” The congregation is assembling “care baskets” for the families of the victims with notes saying “Someone at First United Methodist Church cares for you,” and reaching out to the working press with trays of snack foods. As for long-term care and spiritual needs, Blancett said, “I don’t know how much will be needed yet, but I call tell you from past experience there will be a need.”

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