Service of Light & Prayer
to lift up the NIU Community
Join us!
Wednesday, February 20, 12:15 and 7:15 pm
As we lift up those affected by the NIU tragedy

Greetings.

We are praying for the kids at DeKalb.

yours sincerely,
Gideon Devanesan R.J.
(Bishop of the Arcot Lutheran Church, Tamil Nadu, India
Partner Synod of the NIS)

Dear Bishop Wollersheim and the staff and members of the Northern Illinois Synod

We at the Lower Susquehanna Synod were saddened to hear about the tragic event at Northern Illinois University.  Our hearts go out to all who have suffered loss and experienced sadness and loss of hope and trust because of this tragedy.  We were heartened and encouraged to hear about the fine ministry of Pastor Diane Schmidt Dardón, the availability of the Lutheran Campus Center to the campus community and families of students, the witness of the crosses, and the presence of Bishop Wollersheim at the prayer vigil – for us all signs of Christian hope and caring.  We are so grateful that you are there in the midst of the suffering to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, our Resurrected Lord, present in the world.  Please know that we in your Partner Synod are keeping you in our prayers that God may provide comfort and hope to those who are hurting and strength and compassion to those who are ministering in the midst of this tragedy.  May God bless you all.

Yours in Christ,

Thomas E. McKee

Synod Secretary and Assistant to Bishop Hoover

All of you in the Northern Illinois Synod are in my prayers.

May Christ continue to be with you and present in your ministry,

Jonathan Linman (ELCA Church Council)

Please pray for all of the Northern Illinois University victims and their friends and families.

Add your name and hometown (copy, paste, then send) to the list and forward it on to everyone you can, including the victims' family and friends, students and alum, so they can know all the people that are thinking about and praying for them...never underestimate the power of prayer.

Hail to THEE our Alma Mater
Ever shall we praise your name
Here, we proudly lift our voices
Thousands strong we sing your fame
Free, steadfast, devoted, true
We will always stand by you
Let our cheers resound for Northern
Hail, N.I.U.

I said a Prayer of Sympathy
to the good Lord up above,
To ask Him to console you
and comfort you with love.
I prayed for help to understand
the wisdom of His ways,
To trust that life is measured
by love and not by days.
I asked the Lord to give you
the wisdom and the grace
To know your loved one rests
In the peace of God's embrace.
Until that joyous promised day
when all of you will be
Enfolded in each other's arms
throughout eternity.

Alex Anderson, Naperville, IL, Alum 2005
Jennifer Shores, Yorkville, IL
Stacy Ferguson, Hinckley, IL?
Tara Thomas, Downers Grove, IL, Alum 2002?
Nicki Wojciechowski, Chicago, IL, Alum 2001?
Billie Robinson, DeKalb, IL, Alum 2000?
Katie Hueber, Malta, IL, Alum 2007
Shelley Hayes-Hueber Dekalb, IL, Alum 1990
Amy Engstrom, DeKalb, IL
Donna Clark, Malta IL, Alum 1991
Missy Maeder, Malta, Alum 1988
Jacqui Finch, DeKalb, IL (life long supporter of NIU!)
Fran Tierney, DeKalb IL
Karen Schramer, DeKalb, IL

Heartfelt prayers for you and all who minister in the wake of such an overwhelming tragedy.
May God give you strength and resilience in the days and weeks ahead.
May you be held securely in the palm of God's hand.
And may the Supreme Physician ease your pain at this time of such profound loss and deep grief.

Deep peace in the chaos.

Norma Hirsch
SE Iowa Synod