Contact: Nathan Brockman, Trinity Wall Street
Nbrockman@trinitywallstreet.org
212-602-9679/917-847-6185
Ilyse Fink, LA&K PR
ifink@lakpr.com
212-575-4545/917-455-5974
For Immediate Release
TRINITY WALL STREET TO TOLL BELL
IN MEMORY OF NEWTOWN MASSACRE VICTIMS
New York (December 20, 2012) – On Friday, December 21 at 9:30 AM, our nation will unite in
a moment of silence to mourn the 20 children and six adult victims killed last week at the Sandy
Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. In addition, houses of worship will toll their bells.
Trinity Wall Street in Lower Manhattan will observe this heartbreaking ritual by ringing a single
bell from its set of 12 change bells at historic Trinity Church (Broadway at Wall Street) 28 times,
once for every person who lost his or her life in Newtown during the violence of last week.
The somber sound of the tolls will reverberate through New York’s Canyon of Heroes, a fitting
tribute to the educators who gave their lives protecting the innocent and to their young charges
whose lost lives must not be in vain.
“The loss of a single child to violence is intolerable; the loss of 20 at one time is unbearable. We
affirm the courageous actions of religious, civic, and business leaders locally, statewide, and
nationally who have taken a stance on tighter gun control laws, and we add our voices to the
growing chorus of people from all walks of life, all religions, all ages, all political backgrounds.
The production and ownership of guns designed for rapid killing and mass murder has no place
in our ethic of love of neighbor,” said the Reverend Dr. James H. Cooper, rector of Trinity Wall
Street.
In posting the following message on Trinity Wall Street’s website, Dr. Cooper has called for
remembrance and change:
“As people of faith, we remember and honor those in the school community who lost their lives;
the everlasting innocence of the children and the dedication of their teachers and school
administrators.
“As people of faith, we include the gunman and his mother because they were children of God,
and loved by God.
“As people of faith, we join in the call to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and
to tighten rules for sales at gun shows.
“As people of faith, we will actively address our nation’s attitudes toward and standards of care
for the mentally ill.
“As people of faith, we will find graceful ways to enter into advocacy conversations with friends,
family, and our civic leaders. Harsh tones and aggressive stances typically make viewpoints
more entrenched; gently engaging conversations positively influence and shape thinking on
sensitive issues.
“As people of faith, we affirm the courageous actions of religious, civic, and business leaders
locally, statewide, and nationally who have taken a stance on tighter gun control laws, and we
add our voices to the growing chorus of people from all walks of life, all religions, all ages, all
political backgrounds. The production and ownership of guns designed for rapid killing and mass
murder has no place in our ethic of love of neighbor.
“As people of faith, we share in the deep sorrow of Newtown’s community; we stand with
Newtown and hold its people in our prayers now and in months and years to come.”
ABOUT TRINITY WALL STREET
Located at the head of Wall Street, Trinity Church has been part of New York City’s and our
nation’s history since its charter in 1697. Today, the organization has grown to include many
important areas of focus and is collectively known as Trinity Wall Street. Most importantly,
Trinity Wall Street is an Episcopal parish offering daily worship services and faith formation
programs at Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel, and online at trinitywallstreet.org. In addition,
Trinity Wall Street includes Trinity Grants, providing $80 million in funding to 85 countries
since 1972; Trinity Preschool; Trinity Institute, an annual theological conference; an extensive
arts program presenting more than 100 concerts each year through Concerts @ One, the Trinity
Choir, and the Trinity Choristers; and Trinity Real Estate, which manages the parish’s six million
square feet of commercial real estate in lower Manhattan.
Trinity Church has the only tower in the United States with 12 change ringing bells.
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