We took part in this service last evening, part of a small gathering at Trenton United Church with a purpose of prayer, reflection, and lament. During the service we lit a candle and we sang.
Of course we prayed for the Sons of Jacob Synagogue and Jews everywhere who wonder about their safety in this country. The attack in neighbouring Belleville was the most violent of recent anti-Semitic incidents with Constable Jeffery Smith seriously injured in an exchange of gunfire with the attacker, who has since died. We prayed for Jeffrey Smith's recovery and for his family. Eventually we also prayed for the family of the perpetrator who live in the Trenton area.
We were invited to consider what individual acts of kindness and mutual understanding we could engage in and to choose hope rather than despair.
In the tranquility I thought of the other police officer who responded and was part of the shoot-out. I imagine that the majority of officers in Canada would go their entire careers without being involved in a fatal shooting and this has to be a traumatizing experience even when there is no doubt about the necessity of potentially lethal force.
We were grateful for the opportunity to bring this deeply unsettling incident and its consequences before God, affirming the importance of freedom of religious expression. As we left the sanctuary we realized that a police cruiser was parked out front, sent to ensure that we too would be able to worship and reflect in peace. We were thankful and mindful that we live in unsettling times.
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