Resources Following the London, ON Attack on the Afzaal Family

Greetings, my name is Pablo Kim Sun, a newly hired person to serve as Senior Leader for Anti-racism for CRCNA in Canada. I am profoundly honoured to be called to this sacred position and looking forward to journeying with you all in the work of anti-racism and intercultural conciliation.

As many of our sisters and brothers in Canada might know, on June 6, 2021, the Afzaal family in London were rammed and killed by a vehicle in London. As we mourn and grieve with the family, Christian Interfaith Reference Group (CIRG), a subgroup of the Canadian Council of Churches offers the following resources. These are quite useful resources and so I encourage to you have a look and share widely with your network. 

Blessings to you all as we strive to build the kingdom of God together here and now.

We grieve with our Muslim neighbours and with all people who stand against racism and prejudice. May God comfort the bereaved. May we reach out with open hearts and minds to our neighbours and to one another in times like these. May we acknowledge and confess our share of responsibility for this tragedy. May we strive to build a society that embraces our diverse religions, spiritualities, cultures, and heritages. May we stand against hatred and violence.

In Christ,

Rev. Greg Sinclair 
Chair, Christian Interfaith Reference Group 
The Canadian Council of Churches 

CCC RESOURCES

Grieving With: A Statement from the CCC President and General Secretary in Response to the Vicious Death of the Afzaal Family

• Available in English and French

Resources by the Canadian Ecumenical Anti-Racism Network (CEARN):

• 70th Anniversary Assembly Important Documents

Resources offered by CIRG members:

• Christian Hospitality and Muslim Immigration in an Age of Fear by Matthew Kaemingk, CRCNA pastor and assistant professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Seminary
• All Creation Sings: a recently published supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship (This book has prayer sections entitled Lament, Lamenting Racism, and a worship service to use after a violent event)  

Resources used by The Salvation Army frontline workers when ministering to people confronted with traumatic events:

• Emotional and Spiritual Care Resources from the SA Emergency Disaster Services
• How to Cope with Traumatic Events 

These are not specifically geared to interfaith relationships but may be helpful to those seeking to provide pastoral support to others in crisis.