The Wisconsin Council of Churches and its member judicatories deeply mourn for all the people killed and injured by the violent events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 and for their families.

It also grieves us that there are so many people in our world who, consumed by hatred or desperation, have concluded that violence is the only option available to them, and who believe that they are justified when they engage in acts of violence, even if innocent people suffer. We, on the contrary, believe that violence is always tragic and contrary to God's will and that violent acts, in themselves, solve no problems.

Even though we are disciples of Jesus Christ, we are tempted to react to obscene acts of violence like those of September 11 out of hatred and to call for vengeance on those groups whom we believe are responsible for them. "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," (Matthew 5:44) is often our guide and inspiration, even though Jesus taught us to love our enemies. Since we know that we are not able, on our own, to follow this teaching, we ask God to fill us and our churches with the Holy Spirit so that we will be able to be faithful disciples of Jesus as we respond to the present crisis.

In the days ahead, we urge our churches to sponsor interfaith services of worship and prayer, praying in particular that God will

• calm our fears, reminding us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46);
• protect us from hatred, bitterness and a quest for vengeance;
• deepen among us a sense of community with one another and with all who suffer from acts of violence throughout the world;
• comfort those who lost loved ones in the tragic events of September 11 and inspire people all over the world to offer them love and support;
• lead those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, consumed with hatred, into the light of God's love;
• help find a way to isolate, disarm and appropriately deal with those who would solve the world's problems through violence;
• draw men and women of good will all over the world into solidarity, that they may work together more effectively for a just and peaceful world;
• stir up in the hearts of the world's leaders a deeper commitment to struggle nonviolently for a more just and equitable world;
• keep alive in us the hope that comes from knowing that nothing can extinguish the Light that has come into the world.