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Christian leaders are joining the nation in prayer following the Boston Marathon bombings. Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger added his voice to that of other ecumenical leaders following the tragedy. Ecumenical groups making statements include the Massachusetts Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, and the World Council of Churches.<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s Disaster Services (CDS) also has called for prayer and offered advice to help parents talk with their children about what happened (see below).<\/p>\n
General secretary’s statement<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe join this day in remembering those who lost their lives, the pain of recovery for those injured, the families who bear the brunt of their support, and for all those who witnessed this tragedy. They must be held in our prayers,\u201d Noffsinger said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are no strangers to horrific violence,\u201d he added, \u201cand violence leveled against any person anywhere is violence against all of humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n Having just returned from a Christian Churches Together event marking the 50th anniversary of the writing of Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s \u201cLetter from a Birmingham Jail,\u201d Noffsinger spoke of the terrorism in Boston as \u201cthe same disease of humanity\u201d that has affected so many others around the world. He likened it to the terrorist violence suffered by Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) in recent years.<\/p>\n Quoting from King\u2019s letter, the general secretary called Brethren as we mark this national tragedy to have compassion for people here and around the world who experience violence in their daily lives. \u201cWe are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny,\u201d Noffsinger quoted from King\u2019s letter. \u201cWhatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe must work on the deeper source of behavior that sparks violence. Ask, how can I help change the course of humanity to a more nonviolent course,\u201d Noffsinger said.<\/p>\n The Church of the Brethren has just one church plant in Massachusetts.\u00a0Noffsinger noted that the denomination connects with ecumenical partners there through the council of churches. He recommended to Brethren the statement and resources posted online by the Massachusetts Council of Churches at http:\/\/masscouncilofchurches.wordpress.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n Children\u2019s Disaster Services help for parents<\/strong><\/p>\n Children\u2019s Disaster Services in a Facebook post offered prayer \u201cfor all those impacted by the terror at the Boston Marathon yesterday.\u201d The ministry that trains and places child care givers at disaster sites also offered advice for parents:<\/p>\n \u201cRemember that children are often watching and listening,\u201d the CDS post said. \u201cThey may hear parents talking about violence and terror or see reports on the TV that cause confusion and stress. Be prepared to help your child understand and feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Children’s Disaster Services has two brochures that can help. Online at www.brethren.org\/CDS<\/a> under the heading \u201cResources\u201d is a brochure titled “Trauma: Helping Your Child Cope.” Another offering advice for helping support children through war and terrorism may be provided by e-mail to anyone interested. Contact cds@brethren.org<\/a> .<\/p>\n Statements from ecumenical groups<\/strong><\/p>\n