NIU Valentines Day Tragedy

6 crosses NIU Tragedy
February 14, 2008

January, 2009

O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.

Nearly one year ago the Northern Illinois University (NIU) community was thrust into a stormy blast when a broken young man showered deadly bullets down upon his peers. Since that horrible event in the history of the university and our country, healing has begun, but it has been, and will continue to be, a long and tedious process. The Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) center at NIU not only helped usher in healing during the early throes of the unfolding terror, but the ministry of healing has been a primary focus of LCM throughout this school year. That focus remains even stronger with a new year - a new semester.

In preparation for the one-year anniversary of the shootings, Pastor Diane Dardón has worked with congregations, community, and university leaders and others to assure that remembrance events will promote the healing process for students, faculty, staff,and brothers and sisters throughout the Northern Illinois and Metro Chicago Synods.

While some of the events and activities at LCM will emulate that which was done last year, the prayer for the February 14, 2009 weekend is one of moving on in hope: Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:2

As congregations and individuals are looking toward the first year anniversary of the NIU tragedies, all are encouraged to visit the Lutheran Campus Ministry community. Pilgrimages to the campus, mingling with young adults who bravely move forward, sharing personal stories of healing, and
simply being together during this time may be powerful tools of healing.

Below is the Lutheran Campus Ministry schedule of anniversary events:

Based on Psalm 30 for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany,
A Litany for Healing and Hope: Remembering the Violence at Northern Illinois University on
Feb. 14, 2008,
is available as a downloadable bulletin insert for use in your congregation.

Pr. Dardón is writing
Why Six: Wisdom Whispers in Tragedy. This book of reflections follows Pastor Dardón’s experiences and personal journey of healing after ministry carried her into what she calls her “most challenging and painful moments of ministry.” This resource should be available by February 14, 2009. Watch Walking Together for more information

We Remember
Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University
February 13-15, 2009

The Lutheran Campus Ministry center will be open around the clock from 8:30 am Friday, Feb. 13 through 8:30 am Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. All are welcome, day and night! Come and help build memory albums. Throughout the February 14 weekend, scrapbooking tables will be set up, so those who visit the Lutheran Campus Ministry center can help organize the plethora of cards, letters, and gifts that were sent to the ministry center last year. Everyone is welcome to lend a hand!

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009
5:00 - 7:00 pm NIU Faculty/Staff--wine and cheese fellowship at campus ministry center

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009
2:30 pm Community Service of Remembrance at First Lutheran Church, DeKalb
3:06 pm Tolling of community church bells
5:30 pm Gathering for Candlelight Prayer Vigil
6:00 pm Candlelight Prayer Vigil at campus ministry center
6:20 pm Candlelight Procession to Martin Luther King Commons (1 block)
6:30 pm NIU Candlelight Vigil
7:00 pm Fellowship at campus ministry center

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009
11:00 am Worship at LCM with dedication of “Six Cross” altar, charred altar cross, artwork and “Six Cross Sculpture”
Noon Community lunch

March, 2008

Lutheran Campus Ministry at NIU is doing fine, thanks in a great part to the prayers and material support given to LCM and NIU during the days since the tragedy. Please continue to pray for the NIU community, as the healing process will take weeks and months.

In terms of physical and material support, the center does not, at this time, need food or paper products. Thank you to all who have contributed those things; our refrigerator, freezer and storage spaces are joyfully full.

May Christ be with you all!

Pastor Diane Dardón, Lutheran Campus Ministry at NIU

February 28, 2008

Dear NIU friends:

Two weeks ago the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) staff joined with hundreds of others to pray for the NIU community. As hundreds of students gathered, I was in the emergency room walking with families through some very difficult moments. In the midst of the pain and turmoil, it was a joy to tell families and friends that the NIU community was meeting on the corner of Lucinda and Normal and praying for them. We have been holding nightly prayer vigils since February 14 and tonight our circle becomes complete as we join together again---on the corner of Lucinda and Normal--for our closing vigil. We will meet at 10 pm tonight and let our cries, our sighs and our hearts join together so that we can move toward a new day.

I know there is another vigil planned at 9 pm on campus at the MLK commons...members from the LCM community will go to that vigil and then walk across the street to Lutheran Campus Ministry for a short prayer on our corner of the world where the vigils began two weeks ago. Please join in these moments of prayer...come to one...come to both of the vigils...through these moments we are, indeed, walking forward in hope and healing.

Blessings,
Diane Dardón, Campus Pastor

Lutheran Campus Ministry, located at the corner of Lucinda and Normal

See photos

Watch a video of the candlelight vigil at LCM on 2/14/08

Read messages from Pr. Diane Dardón

Read Bishop Wollersheim's statement

Read messages from caring people all over the world

Resources for ministry in times of crisis

Synod Prayers | ELCA Prayer Ventures | Today's Bible Reading | Synod Vacancies | Search NISynod.org

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