Dear Christian Friends,

TAM AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT

Our hearts grieve for those who lost family or friends in the dreadful accident on Tuesday evening.

Many of us fly TAM and are frequent users of the Congonhas Airport and the surrounding avenues.

Some members of the TAM "family" are also members of our Cathedral.

Mr. Maurício Rolim Amaro, son of the airline's founder and Vice President of the TAM Board, is a member of our Church Council.

Therefore this tragedy is very "close to home" in many ways!

On Wednesday evening, Revd. Aldo Quintão led a special Service of Prayer; see below. Maurício, his Mother Noemy, and several members of the TAM "family", joined us in prayer for those who died, for those who mourn, for those whose lives have become involved in the aftermath of this tragedy, and for the TAM "family".

We thank everybody for their messages of condolence and their prayers. Bishop Nathan Baxter of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania wrote: "As I read today the awful news of the horrific airline accident in São Paulo, my thoughts immediately went to you and our brothers and sisters of the Diocese and the larger community of Sao Paulo.  Please be assured of the earnest prayers of your family here in Central Pennsylvania as you cope with this tragedy.  May God uphold you with His grace and strength."

On Sunday, we will include heartfelt prayers in our three services.

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