Abundant Life Christian School Finds Hope in Christmas Traditions

Abundant Life Christian School Finds Hope in Christmas Traditions \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, is embracing its Christmas traditions to affirm faith and resilience after a tragic shooting. The school community mourns the loss of a student and teacher while finding strength in their belief that God remains present. Holiday services, vigils, and prayers have helped them focus on healing and hope.

Faith and Healing: Quick Looks

• Christmas Traditions Continue: Abundant Life Christian School celebrates faith amidst grief.
• A Tragic Event: A student shooting claimed the lives of a teacher and a student.
• Faith Affirmed: Leaders emphasize God’s presence during times of pain.
• Support from the Community: Local and national Christian groups offer help and solidarity.
• Focus on Healing: The school plans to reopen with enhanced safety and wellness protocols.

Deep Look

For Christians worldwide, Christmas symbolizes joy and hope, a celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. This year, for the community at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, the season also serves as a beacon of faith in the aftermath of tragedy. Just days after a deadly shooting at the school claimed two lives, including that of a 14-year-old student, the community is reaffirming its belief in God’s presence through prayer, tradition, and resilience.

The Rev. Sarah Karlen, a pastor at City Church, which founded the school in the late 1970s, described the holiday season as an opportunity to lean deeper into faith. “When people say, ‘Where is your God?’ He is more evident now than he’s ever been to us,” Karlen told The Associated Press. She added that this year, the phrases “Prince of Peace” and “God with us” resonate with profound meaning.

A Community Grieving Together

The tragedy unfolded earlier in the week when a 15-year-old student, Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, opened fire on campus, killing 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara and a teacher before taking her own life. Several others were injured. The shooting shocked the close-knit faith community, which gathered in the same festively decorated auditorium that had hosted the school’s Christmas concert just days prior for Vergara’s funeral.

During the service, Karlen emphasized the enduring message of “Emmanuel”—God with us—saying, “I know beyond a shadow of a doubt each and every one of us here at City Church would say that in a very new way.”

Faith Amid Unanswered Questions

The tragedy has raised difficult questions for the community about reconciling faith with suffering. At a vigil held earlier in the week, pastors addressed this challenge through Scripture, particularly from the Book of Job, affirming that God’s wisdom and judgment surpass human understanding.

Barbara Wiers, the school’s director for elementary education, said faith provides solace, even when answers are elusive. “There may never be sense made out of this senseless tragedy. But God understands, and God is still here,” she said.

Karlen also pushed back against social media criticisms questioning the school’s religious beliefs, affirming God’s presence and support during this time of grief. “We may not understand why this happened, but we do understand that God sees us and sees things differently than we do,” she said, to the applause of the gathered community.

Embracing Familiar Traditions

As Christmas approaches, City Church and the broader faith community are leaning into the comfort of familiar traditions. Candlelight services, caroling, and prayers will offer opportunities for connection and healing. “We know this is a long road, but the start is to be in the presence of God with one another—to hug, sing, and pray together,” Karlen said.

Despite the grief, the message of hope remains central. Chuck Moore, executive director of Impact Christian Schools, of which Abundant Life is a part, expressed hope that the tragedy won’t permanently overshadow the joy of the Christmas season. “Even in the midst of awful, it’s still a time we can rejoice. We can focus our celebration on who Christ is,” he said.

A Unified Community Response

The Madison community and Christian organizations nationwide have rallied to support the grieving school. Local churches have organized food drives, sent chaplains, and offered pastoral care to those hospitalized. The Wisconsin Council of Churches has also stepped in, providing resources and solidarity to the affected families and staff.

“Healing will come slowly, but they will not be left alone,” said the Rev. Kerri Parker, executive director of the council, which represents about 2,000 churches in the state.

A Legacy of Faith and Forgiveness

At the funeral, Vergara’s uncle, Andy Remus, encouraged the school to continue its mission of teaching Christian values. He expressed the family’s lack of bitterness toward Rupnow and highlighted the community’s overwhelming support. “For every person that says, ‘Where is your God now?’ There are 10,000 good, caring people in Madison,” he said.

As the school prepares to reopen in January, Wiers emphasized the importance of addressing both physical and emotional safety. Repairs to the campus are underway to avoid retraumatizing students and staff, while wellness protocols are being strengthened.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Wiers added, “We’re changed. Our family is changed. But God hasn’t changed. He hasn’t moved. And while we are brokenhearted, he’s going to walk us through this.”

The lead pastor of City Church, the Rev. Tom Flaherty, ended the funeral with a reminder of hope beyond this life: “There is a heaven, don’t let your heart be troubled. This is not all there is.”

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