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Memorial Prayers to be Offered on Sunday for the Victims of the Elementary School Shootings

To the Reverend Clergy and Faithful Stewards of the Metropolis of Boston

Today our Nation mourns the tragic loss of twenty-six people,including 20 children between the ages of 5-10 years old, who were killed by a masked gunman in a bloody rampage at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The mass murderer also killed his mother ather home before opening fire on these innocent young students inside the school in which she taught. This was the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, following the massacre of 32 people at Virginia Tech in 2007.

We embrace the family, friends and neighbors of these innocent victims in prayer and love during the painful hours and days that follow this senseless act of violence. As we struggle to comfort those around us, and answer the many questions that this tragedy will spark with our children, we attach a short article from the National Association of School Psychologists which offers tips to parents on "Talking To Children About Violence".

I ask that all of our Churches offer memorial prayers this coming Sunday, December 16, for those who tragically lost their lives this morning. Let us also pray for comfort, strength, and peace for the parents, families and friends of today's victims.

May the Lord rest their souls in His Heavenly Kingdom where there is no pain, no sorrow and no suffering, but life everlasting. May their memory be eternal!

With Archpastoral Love,

+ Metropolitan Methodios