CHICAGO (ELCA) The family of Anne Marie Hochhalter, a student severely wounded in the shootings at Columbine High School April 20, has issued a statement to their congregation expressing appreciation for "heartwarming cards and letters" and "offers of help and acts of love and kindness."
Hochhalter, 17, and her family are members of Christ Lutheran Church, Highlands Ranch, Colo., a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She was shot twice and sustained injuries to her chest, liver and spinal cord. She remains in serious condition at Swedish Medical Center, Englewood.
"Anne Marie, with God's gentle and healing touch, is recovering," the family said. "Her tremendous courage and optimism in the face of all she has been through has truly been an inspiration to all of us."
"As you might expect, she has many questions," the statement continued. "We wonder why why bad things happen to good people."
"There are some things we are sure about. We are sure that God is with Anne Marie. We all feel it. We are sure that your prayers help. They bring great peace to us all. We are sure that our faith in God will carry us through this time. The comfort our faith gives us has been an essential part of everything we do," the family said.
"The support of our community continues to be overwhelming. This together with the love and compassion of church members everywhere is a major source of our strength," the statement added.
The Rev. David J. Jensen, Christ Lutheran Church, told the congregation May 2 that Hochhalter is a "vessel of God's miracles." The family is well aware of the church's support "and that has been a source of strength to them," he said.
"Anne Marie has significant relationships in this near-death experience that remind her of her relationship with Christ," Jensen said.
Reflecting on the tragic shootings that left 12 students, one teacher and the two alleged gunmen dead, Jensen said the Columbine incident "has reminded each of us that every kid is our kid and every window of the community is affected." There is much more we can do for the "Anne Maries -- all of our children," he said.
"Columbine High School has reminded the world of our freedoms," Jensen said. "But freedoms are only as strong as our self-discipline."
Hochhalter is a member of Columbine's marching band, the Denver Rocky Mountain News reported. Doctors at Swedish Hospital say they won't know for several weeks whether she or two other shooting victims with spinal cord injuries will experience some paralysis, the paper reported. She is able to communicate and sees no visitors other than immediate family.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
