My Dear Friends,

I write to you with a heavy heart surrounding the devastating news of the shooting yesterday at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Authorities report that the shooting happened during Saint Stephen’s parish potluck dinner. One person was killed at the scene and two victims later died at a local hospital. The suspect, an occasional attendee, was subdued at the event and is currently in police custody.

Our prayers of concern and spiritual solace for the congregation and clergy of Saint Stephen’s, Bishop Glenda Curry, Bishop Brian Prior, the whole Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, and all who are connected to this community including the residents of Vestavia Hills, their families, the injured, and the deceased.

Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

To learn more or provide assistance during this tragedy visit the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama website.

May the peace of God provide comfort and mercy to all who suffer during this tragedy.

Faithfully yours,

The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith
Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida