[April 17]...words fail to grasp the pain felt by those who loved the thirty-three students and faculty who lost their lives in the shootings.

Fortunately, we do not face tragedy alone. Our Lord promised to be with us, even to the ends of the earth. The apostle Paul tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Because of this love, we can respond in loving ways to others, and Presbyterians have already begun to respond.

Three members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team are on their way to the campus to be a presence and resource to the community.

The three team members are:

* The Rev. Robert Barnes of Santa Fe, N.M. a retired police chaplain with extensive training and experience in responding to school shootings. He was the lead on behalf of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at the shooting in Columbine, CO.

* The Rev. James Kirk, Associate Pastor, The Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples, FL. Jim also has extensive training and experience in responding to school shootings and similar events.

* Anne Van Allen from Annapolis, MD, a retired school counselor with more than 30 years of school related mental health experience.

The team has already been in contact with Catherine Snyder, Presbyterian campus minister, and with Alexander Evans, Pastor of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. Evans is a fire department chaplain.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is funded through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering received each year during lent.