• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Members
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • For Credentialed Leaders
      • For Congregations
      • Interested in Ministry?
      • Kineo Center
      • Safe Church
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Promoting Peace
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Climate Justice Ministry
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • The Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of The Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • The Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Everence (Ministry Partner)
    • MHS Association (Ministry Partner)
  • Events
    • Follow Jesus 25 (Convention)
    • Hope for the Future
    • Event Calendar
  • Resources
  • News & Blog
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots Blog
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Store
  • Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Members
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • For Credentialed Leaders
      • For Congregations
      • Interested in Ministry?
      • Kineo Center
      • Safe Church
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Promoting Peace
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Climate Justice Ministry
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • The Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of The Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • The Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Everence (Ministry Partner)
    • MHS Association (Ministry Partner)
  • Events
    • Follow Jesus 25 (Convention)
    • Hope for the Future
    • Event Calendar
  • Resources
  • News & Blog
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots Blog
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Store
  • Give
Home / News / Statement in response to Florida school shooting
Feb 15 2018

Statement in response to Florida school shooting

Mennonite Church USA logo“As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” Proverbs 26:11

We find ourselves, again, in a place of sadness, anger and pain in the aftermath of a mass shooting. A teacher and 17 students were killed and more injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Schools exist to nurture the gifts and talents of our children. They’ve become killing floors. As a nation, we are unwell.

We are right to look to Jesus in this time of tragedy for comfort, wisdom and healing. But we should not be surprised if Jesus asks us a question: “Do you want to get well?”

Columbine, Sandy Hook, Orlando, Las Vegas, Texas, countless other episodes of violence that fade quickly from our collective consciousness—these events shock us, bring us to tears, make us angry. They do everything except make us change.

As sick as we are as a nation, it doesn’t appear we want to get better. Violence is a disease that has infected every part of America. It’s in our history, it’s ever-present in our culture. We look to it as a protector and defender, the first and best way to address our problems. In America, the answer is often to be tougher, to hit harder.

We may talk about cures and policy changes that will bring an end to the suffering. These are ways to alleviate some of the worst symptoms. But the biggest obstacle to recovery is us. We do not want to get well.

Mennonites historically have resisted the call and lure of violence. But we are complicit in the tragedies that plague us, as are all Americans. When we allow these tragedies to become commonplace, when we allow systems and corporations to profit from producing and distributing the tools of death, when we accept as inevitable that no solution can be found—we are complicit.

We mourn today the loss of life and the terrible road of grief 18 families now have to walk.  We mourn those who were injured and the trying recovery to physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness that awaits them.

And after we mourn, let us search our own hearts and inquire—do we want to get well?

—Ervin Stutzman, executive director, Mennonite Church USA

  • Posted in News
  • Tagged Ervin Stutzman, Florida, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, MC USA Staff Statement, Parkland, school shooting, violence
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

News

Elkhart, IN 46517

Newton, KS 67114 Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
  • Transparency in Coverage
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE