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Re: Shooting rampage on 06/03/11
There's no doubt that Toby Stangel's family is going through something that is unthinkable. As a parent, I can't even begin to imagine the emotions that would be felt if one of my children committed a heinous crime like Toby's. All I know is it would be like a terrible nightmare involving your child that you never wake up from.
Be that as it may, the Stangels are not the only ones suffering from this tragedy involving their son. I'm sure the families of Amie Lou Asuncion and Samson Naupoto have a lot of questions and concerns going their mind as far as their loved one begin the process of making a physical and emotional recovery from the incident.
Then of course, what is the family of the late Tammy Nguyen going through? I won't even begin to list the emotions they are experiencing. All that can be said here is that an irreplaceable part of their lives up til now is gone. A beloved wife and mother of 10 has suddenly been taken away from the Nguyens. And there's no explanation for it, other than she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
And what is the state of mind for Tammy's 16 year old daughter, who was the passenger in that minivan on that tragic early morning drive? Once again, words fail to describe what that girl is going through, except to say that the horrific memories from that day is something that can never be erased. How can it be otherwise for anyone to be a next seat witness to their mother being fatally shot in the head?
Finally, there's the members of the North Shore Christian Fellowship Church. The local TV news depts. said camera crews to their Sunday worship service, where they set aside their regular format and focused on the tragic incident. Prayers were said for the victims and for Toby. Everyone at that service had a look of sadness and disbelief. The other pastors in the church referred to Toby as "family." Judging by the way the parishoners conducted themselves at the church, not to mention a handful of them showing up at court the following day, the statement of Toby being regarded as family by the church as a whole was genuine and real. Their range of emotions and distress may not match those who are related to Toby by blood. But still, for those folks who saw Toby grow up before their eyes,.... how could they be devoid of any feelings of grief over what has happened? It wouldn't be far-fetched to think that some parishoners may be having their religious faith tested during this crisis.
All of the people I described above are suffering, in one form or another. What it takes to relieve it... nobody can say. With some people, there can be no comfort for a long, long time. All that the parties in this sad affair can do now is to reach out to one another and to offer support.
In the midst of his family's own personal crisis, Mike Stangel is the senior pastor of a now grieving church consisting of some 400 adults and 200 children. In addition, there are families outside of that church who are dealing with the impact of last Saturday's tragedy.
There are many Christian churches that people can go to. Exactly which one a person chooses to go to depends on many factors. But a major one centers around the pastor. It is a heavy responsibility to be a shepherd for a flock of Christian worshippers. It's not an ordinary secular job, like being a realtor or a factory worker. The term "pillar of the community" is often thrown around,... but it is a role that a leader of a prominent church can't back away from. Esp. not during a crisis.
This is why I don't think Pastor Stangel has the option of keeping himself in isolation indefinitely. As a pillar of the community, he will eventually have to reach out to those families of the victims in person, share in their grief over their loved one, and offer them support.
And finally, in his role as a pastor, he will eventually have to to face his flock waiting for him back home.
Now if anyone here thinks that what I've outlined in the last 2 paragraphs is something that a church pastor/minister can shirk away from, even in the midst of a crisis in their own family.... whatever. All I can say is that their expectations of a man of God is lower than mine's. If that makes me "self-righteous" in their minds, then I can only imagine what goes their mind when it comes to taking on religious vows.
So you declare me to be "pathetic and hateful." And this, after you lambast me for being "self-righteous."
First, remove the rafter from your eye....
Originally posted by Amati
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Be that as it may, the Stangels are not the only ones suffering from this tragedy involving their son. I'm sure the families of Amie Lou Asuncion and Samson Naupoto have a lot of questions and concerns going their mind as far as their loved one begin the process of making a physical and emotional recovery from the incident.
Then of course, what is the family of the late Tammy Nguyen going through? I won't even begin to list the emotions they are experiencing. All that can be said here is that an irreplaceable part of their lives up til now is gone. A beloved wife and mother of 10 has suddenly been taken away from the Nguyens. And there's no explanation for it, other than she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
And what is the state of mind for Tammy's 16 year old daughter, who was the passenger in that minivan on that tragic early morning drive? Once again, words fail to describe what that girl is going through, except to say that the horrific memories from that day is something that can never be erased. How can it be otherwise for anyone to be a next seat witness to their mother being fatally shot in the head?
Finally, there's the members of the North Shore Christian Fellowship Church. The local TV news depts. said camera crews to their Sunday worship service, where they set aside their regular format and focused on the tragic incident. Prayers were said for the victims and for Toby. Everyone at that service had a look of sadness and disbelief. The other pastors in the church referred to Toby as "family." Judging by the way the parishoners conducted themselves at the church, not to mention a handful of them showing up at court the following day, the statement of Toby being regarded as family by the church as a whole was genuine and real. Their range of emotions and distress may not match those who are related to Toby by blood. But still, for those folks who saw Toby grow up before their eyes,.... how could they be devoid of any feelings of grief over what has happened? It wouldn't be far-fetched to think that some parishoners may be having their religious faith tested during this crisis.
All of the people I described above are suffering, in one form or another. What it takes to relieve it... nobody can say. With some people, there can be no comfort for a long, long time. All that the parties in this sad affair can do now is to reach out to one another and to offer support.
In the midst of his family's own personal crisis, Mike Stangel is the senior pastor of a now grieving church consisting of some 400 adults and 200 children. In addition, there are families outside of that church who are dealing with the impact of last Saturday's tragedy.
There are many Christian churches that people can go to. Exactly which one a person chooses to go to depends on many factors. But a major one centers around the pastor. It is a heavy responsibility to be a shepherd for a flock of Christian worshippers. It's not an ordinary secular job, like being a realtor or a factory worker. The term "pillar of the community" is often thrown around,... but it is a role that a leader of a prominent church can't back away from. Esp. not during a crisis.
This is why I don't think Pastor Stangel has the option of keeping himself in isolation indefinitely. As a pillar of the community, he will eventually have to reach out to those families of the victims in person, share in their grief over their loved one, and offer them support.
And finally, in his role as a pastor, he will eventually have to to face his flock waiting for him back home.
Now if anyone here thinks that what I've outlined in the last 2 paragraphs is something that a church pastor/minister can shirk away from, even in the midst of a crisis in their own family.... whatever. All I can say is that their expectations of a man of God is lower than mine's. If that makes me "self-righteous" in their minds, then I can only imagine what goes their mind when it comes to taking on religious vows.
Originally posted by Amati
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First, remove the rafter from your eye....
~
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