All Virginians, indeed people all around the nation and the world, have been horrified by the outburst of violence at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. But the violence occurred in the midst of the Easter season which overcomes the evil with the message that Christ reigns and that evil and death shall not have the final word. I sent a personal message to the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia offering whatever assistance the Diocese of Virginia can offer the churches of Southwestern Virginia as they respond pastorally to this tragedy.

I attended a special service of remembrance and celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Tuesday evening, April 17, at Christ Church, Glen Allen, in Richmond's West End. Christ Church has fifteen young people who are students at Virginia Tech, one of whom was grazed by a bullet in the attack. She was unhurt and she, her parents and other family members were present at the service. I was able to greet them and assure them of the prayers of the people of the Diocese of Virginia.

At a special service Tuesday afternoon, April 17 at St. Paul's Memorial Church, Charlottesville, a group of people gathered for prayer and support. A University of Virginia student who described herself as not particularly religious told a reporter, "I came today because I didn't know where to put this feeling."

I have also been in touch with the Rev. Valentine Han, the Vicar of Holy Cross Korean Episcopal Mission, to assure Episcopalians of Korean descent in our community that they are held in respect and affection and that it would be entirely inappropriate to single out any category of people for blame. The shooter was an individual, probably mentally unbalanced, but in any case the choices that he made, evil as they were, were his alone and not the choices of the community from which he came.

Members of our Korean community do not know the family of the shooter or anything about them.

At the vigil and Eucharist on Tuesday night at Christ Church, Glen Allen, the rector, the Rev. Paul Johnson, eloquently declared that at such a time Christians gather to proclaim that death does not win. Christ is risen. That is our faith and our proclamation. We continue to hold in prayer those who have lost so much and those who have been damaged by this horrific episode.

Faithfully yours,