St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Santa Clarita, will offer prayers Nov. 14 for Saugus High School shooting victims and the community.
All are invited to a 7 p.m. prayer service tonight at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 24901 Orchard Village Road, Santa Clarita in response to this morning’s tragic Saugus High School shooting that killed one student and wounded four others, according to news reports.
“The entire community of St. Stephen’s offers its prayers and support to all those impacted by the tragedy at Saugus High School,” said the Rev. Christopher Montella, priest-in-charge at St. Stephen’s. “As we seek to deal with the grief and shock of this senseless act of gun violence, we will be gathering for a service of prayer and lament tonight (Nov. 14, 7 p.m.) in our sanctuary. We welcome all those of every faith to join us in the comfort of community to reflect, grieve and lift our hearts and voices in prayer.”
The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, this morning spoke with Montella and called upon the diocesan community to unite in prayer, posting on social media this intercession: “Almighty God, relentless champion of justice and the innocent: We pray this morning for those who have been killed and injured in the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, their families, and those who mourn and care for them. Send your wisdom and discernment upon all who have it in their power to deter and prevent recurrences of such horror. Help them understand that they are your servants and servants of the governed and that you do not abide their distractions, evasions, and deference to earthly powers, principalities, and values. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirt, one God, now and forever, Amen.”
Gun violence prevention resources are available via the diocesan website here, and through the churchwide group Bishops/Episcopalians United Against Gun Violence, here or on Facebook at Episcopalians United Against Gun Violence.