Dear Colleagues and Friends,
You are being invited to pause for a day of mourning the horrifying milestone of 100,000 American deaths to the coronavirus; a time to feel and express our grief, sorrow and regret. One hundred thousand people is more than the deaths from all airplane crashes in world history, almost 15 times the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it would take almost twice the length of the Vietnam War Memorial wall to fit the names of those we lost since the start of the pandemic.
Some of us who lost loved ones to COVID-19 know the grief is deeper because we could not be with them at the time of their deaths, and have to wait for a time when our extended families and faith communities may gather for memorial services to mourn and pray together. Most of us know others who have died leaving us feeling helpless in comforting their loved ones and fearful.
We all witness our national brokenness and racially disproportionate pain carried by those serving our community as ambulance and bus drivers, nursing and group home caregivers, cleaners and grocery store attendants. Our laments include regret as we ask why this happened, and understand that it didn’t need to happen if we had heeded the warnings and been more compassionate and just.
On the positive side, faith leaders have been coming together across all lines of difference in recognition of our common humanity and need for prayer and action. We are experiencing a strong sense of solidarity as we participate in virtual services of worship and meetings where we share our personal stories and together discover healing and hope.
Faith communities are being joined by elected officials in observance of a National Day of Mourning and Lament on Monday, June 1. The U.S. Conference of Mayors state: “Together, interfaith leaders and mayors across the nation will seek to transcend our divisions and call us to lament, mourn, and honor the dead; acknowledge the unequal suffering; pray together for the healing of the nation; and recommit ourselves to the difficult work ahead.”
The National Governor’s Association recognizes that we are “all united in a time of lament and mourning for the dead. The vocation of remembering and honoring the dead transcends politics and unites us across lines of religion.”
A joint statement by our County Executive, Marc Elrich, and the County Council states: “We all share the sense of sorrow and regret that more than 100,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 including 555 in Montgomery County. We acknowledge the importance of grieving their deaths and encourage residents to honor their lives by working together for a healthier and more equitable community.”
We are encouraged by the support of elected officials and the engagement of leaders from all faith traditions. May this time to mourn be incorporated within each of our faith communities in whatever way seems most appropriate. Here is a call to prayer crafted by over a hundred diverse faith leaders coordinated by Jim Wallis of Sojourners. It is offered for individual as well as corporate contemplation.
May this time of mourning provide healing and strength for acting upon that for which we pray.
Shalom, Om Shanti, Sat Sri Akal, Salaam, Namaste, Peace
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