LCC’s President: Pray for Boston

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BOSTON – Lutheran Church-Canada’s (LCC) President Robert Bugbee has pledged prayers for those affected by the April 15 bombings in Boston.

“Dear friends in Canada,” he writes, “I’m in Sydney, Australia on my way to the convention of our partner church, and just received word of the attack at the Boston Marathon.”

“I hope you’ll hold in your prayers the sorrows of people who are now traumatized over the dead and the wounded, and are surely horrified to see that a peaceful pastime like this could be shattered by such violence. Pray also for all relief workers, pastors, and Christian people who are doing all they can to help people with their needs of body and soul at this time.”

Two explosions, a few seconds and less than 100 meters apart, struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon at a peak time when runners are completing the race. Three people were killed, and at least 176 injured. Early reports suggested an additional two explosives were found undetonated nearby, but Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced Tuesday morning this information was incorrect.

At least one LCC member was taking part in the Boston Marathon when the attack occurred. Amy Nachtigall, wife of Jeffrey Nachtigal (Registrar and Director of Technology Services, Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton), was a runner in the marathon. Jeffrey Nachtigal reports that they are both safe. “Family and friends,” he writes, “we are physically OK. Amy was nearly a mile from the finish when the race was stopped. She is in pretty rough shape emotionally, but we will be OK.”

“We’re stunned and saddened,” he says, “but OK.”

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), LCC’s partner church in the United States of America, has announced it is “ready to offer personal assistance and respond as needs are assessed and opportunities to serve are identified.” It notes that First Lutheran Church in Boston (an LCMS congregation a few blocks from the site of the explosions) was open all night “offering a warm place to sleep, water, coffee, and pastoral care, especially to those who could not return to their homes or hotels due to the city’s lock-down status.”

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