Responding to Tragedy

A list of resources that might be helpful in response to the shootings at Virginia Tech, and other places.

Resources in the Bosworth Memorial Library

Joey Jeter’s “Crisis Preaching” (Abingdon, 1998).
Rowan Williams’ “Writing in the Dust: After September 11” (Eerdmans, 2002).
“And the Angels Wept,” ed. by David Polk (Chalice, 1995).
[A collection of sermons in response to the Oklahoma City bombing.]

Online collections of resources in response to 9/11 events

Some of these may not be directly applicable, yet they may prompt thought in helpful ways for pastoral care in times of crisis.  Includes sermons and liturgical material:

• http://www.textweek.com/response.htm
• http://www.sermonmall.com/WTC/index2.html
• http://www.united.edu/academics/disasterhelp.shtml
• http://www.usccb.org/nab/mourning.htm
• http://www.ucc.org/911/091201c.htm
• http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?loc_id=739&act=nav_loc
• http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4044/is_200507/ai_n15328789
  [An online version of an article by Ron Allen entitled, “Preaching After a Tragedy: Listening to Congregations After September 11, 2001” (Encounter, summer 2005).  Again, although the details differ significantly, Allen offers wise advice in terms of pastoral responses to crisis.]
• http://www.ncccusa.org/resources/tsunami-worship-resources.htm
  [Worship resources in the wake of the great tsunami a few years ago]

Compiled by Dr. Robert Howard
Former Circulation Coordinator, Bosworth Memorial Library