For Christians globally, Christmas marks a festive acknowledgment of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the wake of a tragic shooting incident, the community at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, is maintaining its cherished holiday customs as an affirmation of their faith—an assurance that God is ever-present and has not forsaken them.
“When the question arises, ‘Where is your God?’ he feels more palpable to us now than ever before,” stated the Rev. Sarah Karlen. As a pastor at City Church, which established the school in the late 1970s, Karlen also serves as the theater instructor. This weekend, City Church is set to hold a funeral for Rubi Patricia Vergara, a 14-year-old student who lost her life due to the school shooting, which also claimed the life of a teacher and left several individuals injured.
Referencing the meaning of Christmas, Karlen emphasized that acknowledging Emmanuel, meaning ‘God with us,’ takes on new significance this year. “At this time, as we reflect on God coming to Earth, everyone in our City Church community feels this truth in a renewed way,” she conveyed.
City Church, decorated with festive lights, Christmas trees, and a Nativity display, gathered more than 1,200 members for a vigil service on Tuesday. During this service, pastors noted challenges that arise when trying to align the belief in a compassionate God with the existence of suffering, drawing insights from the Book of Job.
Moreover, Karlen addressed some negative comments circulating on social media about the school’s faith. With the audience’s encouragement, she reaffirmed God’s presence amid their sorrow and fatigue. “While none of our staff claim to comprehend the reasons behind what happened, we do know that God sees our situation from a different perspective,” she noted.
As the investigation continues into why 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow attacked her school before taking her own life, officials note that while school shootings have become more common in the United States, the majority are executed by young males.
Barbara Wiers, the school’s director for elementary education and communications, remarked that faith is aiding the teachers, students, and families in coming to terms with the fact that they may never receive complete answers. “This may be an incomprehensible tragedy, but God understands our pain, was present during it, and remains with us,” she shared. Wiers added that while earthly judgments may unfold through legal proceedings, the ultimate divine judgment will prevail, and she entrusts that to God.
To ensure that the school does not trigger re-traumatization upon students’ return, Wiers noted that it remains closed temporarily for repairs. The staff is also reviewing safety and wellness strategies. However, on Christmas Eve, City Church plans to hold a candlelight service filled with caroling, aiming to provide comfort through shared traditions during this challenging time.
Karlen expressed hope for community unity, stating, “We recognize this is a long journey, but it begins with being together in God’s presence, embracing, singing, and praying as one.” Additional churches related to the school and the wider Madison community have already rallied support, from alumni organizing food drives to ministries sending chaplains to provide comfort to the bereaved.
The Rev. Kerri Parker, executive director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, remarked, “Healing will be gradual, but they will not feel alone through this process.” Abundant Life Christian School is a part of the Impact Christian Schools network, which welcomes families irrespective of their beliefs, highlighted Chuck Moore, Impact’s executive director. He expressed hope that this tragic event would not permanently tarnish the community’s Christmas spirit.
“Even amidst this horrendous situation, we still have reasons to rejoice,” Moore stated, emphasizing the importance of celebrating Christ’s message. Wiers mentioned that discussions of Jesus and faith already permeate all subjects in every classroom. This approach will continue upon the school’s anticipated reopening in January.
“We have undoubtedly changed, and our family dynamic has shifted, but the essence of God remains constant,” Wiers affirmed. “The message remains intact: God is good, faithful, and unwavering. Even in our heartbreak, He will accompany us through this ordeal.”