Episcopal Relief and Development will provide support to those affected by the February 14 shooting rampage at Northern Illinois University that killed six people and wounded over thirty.

Episcopal Relief and Development has been in contact with the Diocese of Chicago, as well as The Rev. Mark Geisler, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located three blocks from the university campus in DeKalb, IL. 

The Rev. Geisler was on the scene immediately after the shootings were reported. Geisler, who is also president of the Board of Directors of United Campus Ministries, an ecumenical ministry partnership serving the Northern Illinois University student body,  has been providing counseling and support over the past several days along with fellow clergy from United Campus Ministries and professional counselors.

While the need for ongoing counseling and support for students, faculty and others affected by the shootings is assumed in tragedy such as this, the full extent of needs is yet to be determined.

“Funerals began this weekend, and all of the churches in town had memorial services of some kind,” Geisler reported. “We are going to need assistance to help people deal with the after effects of the shooting,” he continued. 

An assessment of the situation and request for support will be developed this week.  Episcopal Relief and Development stands ready to assist St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and United Campus Ministries as they minister to those who are hurting. 

Episcopal Relief and Development offers our prayers and condolences to families of the victims and the wounded.  We continue to hold the university community in prayer as they recover from this tragedy.

To help those affected, please make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development’s “Emergency Relief Fund” at http://www.er-d.org/, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129.  Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development “Emergency Relief Fund,” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA  22116-7058.  
 
Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief and Development takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief and Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.