Here is helpful advice that I pray no one needs to use about how to support your church and the community if the unthinkable happens in your town (written by Sue Vogelman, who lived in Newtown, CT and who was working at a church there at the time of the Sandy Hook Elementary shoorting): Preparing to Support a Church Community in the Event of Mass Tragedy.

Some highlights, some of which you should have prepared in advance, just in case:

• turn off the news when children are in the room - they don't need continued and constant exposure
• keep your promises (don't cancel events that children have been looking forward to) and maintain the regular routine as much as possible
• have a list of grief and trauma counselors for adults as well as children
• have written prayers that you can share
• bring in therapy dogs
• listen; just be present for children

image is provided by the author. She indicated that the candles were made into the shape of a heart and lit at services for the anniversaries of the loss that the Sandy Hook community experienced. The colors of the candle arrangement represent the school’s colors, green and white.