Carolyn organized a remembrance service for the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School of Newtown, Connecticut.  Governor Malloy of Connecticut asked for church bells across the nation to be rung at 9:30 on Friday, December 21, 2012 as a memorial to the Sandy Hook victims.  Our church does not have a bell, but there was a desire for us to join together to remember, to mourn, to honor, and to pray.  Where there was a will, there was a way. No church bell, but most everyone has a bell in their home.  Each participant was encouraged to bring a bell to ring.  It worked.

A small group of us met at 9:00. (By 9:30, the group had grown.)

Carolyn read the proclamation from Governor Malloy.

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed Tuesday a proclamation declaring Friday, December 21, 2012 a “Day of Mourning” in the State of Connecticut and requesting that residents statewide participate in a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. The Governor is also requesting houses of worship and government buildings that have the capability, to ring bells 26 times during that moment in honor of each life that was taken at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“Let us all come together collectively to mourn the loss of far too many promising lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School,” Governor Malloy said. “Though we will never know the full measure of sorrow experienced by these families, we can let them know that we stand with them during this difficult time.”

Governor Malloy has also written a letter to every governor in the United States, asking each state to consider joining the State of Connecticut on Friday during this time of reflection and mourning.

“Mourning this tragedy has extended beyond Newtown, beyond the borders of Connecticut, and has spread across the nation and the world,” Governor Malloy said. “On behalf of the State of Connecticut, we appreciate the letters and calls of support that have been delivered to our state and to the family members during their hour of need.” 

Small as our group was, we knew in our hearts that we were joining the world in mourning this tragedy.

The bells we brought also held special memories for us.  There were school bells, Christmas bells, a cow bell from a wedding, musical bells, sleigh bells, and a bell used in Berkner High School football games.  As we shared stories of the bells we brought, it was strangely comforting.  These bells were the only bells we had to share, (We did not have a lovely church bell to proclaim to the world our mourning.) and they represented the desires of our hearts to remember the victims and their families from Newtown.

We prayed the Lord’s Prayer, heard the 23rd Psalm, and sang Silent Night.

Carolyn asked us to share our stories.  Many of us were former teachers, and this tragedy touched our hearts.  Pastor Ellis reminded us that remembering means “putting back together.”  (Preachers always know the best words to say.)  I really liked that.  Others were parents, and felt a small measure of the pain felt by the families of Newtown.

Others wanted to do more.  Kim would like to organize a drive to send stuffed animals for each child at Sandy Hook Elementary in the hope that each child will be comforted, and know that others care.  If you give her the stuffed animals, she will send them to Newtown.

Minetta had heard of a drive to decorate the new school with snowflakes – a winter wonderland if you will.

This article was sent out by the National PTA and Connecticut PTSA.

“When school resumes for Sandy Hook, it will be in a new building. Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible. We encourage senders to be as creative as possible, remembering that no two snowflakes are alike. Please make and send snowflakes by January 12, 2013.

After a moment of silence, Bob read the name of each victim, and after each name, we rang our bells.  How sad.  It was heartbreaking. Twenty-six names – it seemed like the list would never end.

We closed in prayer.  Minetta’s prayer was beautiful, and I want to share it with you.  She said she wrote it out because,  “I knew I wouldn’t get through it without some tears.”