February 13, 2026
God,
This week, in Canada, death came violently in Tumbler Ridge, BC and death came violently in Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg, QC.
Your children are grieving.
Your children are in shock.
Your children are dismayed.
Your children are angry.
Your children are hurting.
Your children are scared.
All I can ask is … make it stop, still our hearts, remind us we are yours.
Your children need your presence.
When death comes violently, by hand of another, many of us want answers, many of us want someone to blame and someone to be held accountable.
Many of us act from a knee-jerk reaction.
All I can ask is … make it stop, still our hearts, remind us we are yours.
Your children need your presence.
There are many voices placing the blame for Tumbler Ridge tragedy squarely on the trans community. That is wrong. That is disrespectful of grief and loss. That is opportunism. That does not heal but only deepens the wounds and further divides the human family to which we all belong.
All I can ask is … make it stop, still our hearts, remind us we are yours.
Your children need your presence.
Your grieving children need your presence.
Your trans children need your presence.
Your judgemental children need your presence.
Your flippant children need your presence.
All of your children need your presence.
Remind us that even though we walk through a dark valley you are with us, that there is nowhere we can hide from your spirit, that nothing can separate us from your love we.
I did not want to write this prayer. I did not want to be “another one”. I want to curl up in bed and wait it all out.
All I can ask is … make it stop, still my heart, remind me I am yours.
I need your presence.
Piotr
The Rev. Piotr Strzelecki VDM
Convenor of the Living Skies Regional Council
of The United Church of Canada
