wfn.org | Wounded Student's Family Issues Statement

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 5, 1999

WOUNDED STUDENT'S FAMILY ISSUES STATEMENT
99-122-JB

     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