First Presbyterian Church in downtown Bend has opened its sanctuary doors to a moving display of 1,000 paper cranes, each folded and prayed over by members of Pilgrim Christian Church in Chardon, Ohio. The cranes were sent as a tribute to the victims of the recent Silver Rail shooting, a tragedy that has left the Central Oregon community grieving.
How the cranes arrived
Since the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, Pilgrim Christian Church has made a tradition of sending paper cranes to communities struck by gun violence. The congregation folds each crane while praying for peace, then ships the collection to the affected area. This year, the church sent a thousand cranes to Bend, where they were welcomed by Rev. Dr. Steven Kosk, senior pastor of First Presbyterian.
Pastor Kosk’s response
“Our whole community is in grief,” Rev. Dr. Kosk said during a brief remarks ceremony. “Seeing these peace cranes on the back wall feels like our prayers are enfolding us.” He added that the display offers a visual reminder of the community’s shared hope for healing and a future free from such violence.
Where to see the tribute
The cranes are mounted on the back wall of the sanctuary and will remain on view as long as the church is open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to stop by during regular service hours to reflect on the message of peace and solidarity.
Community impact
Local residents have expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that the display provides a tangible way to honor the lives lost while reinforcing the church’s role as a place of comfort and prayer. The initiative also highlights the broader network of faith‑based groups across the nation that respond to tragedy with acts of compassion.
Continuing the conversation
First Presbyterian Church plans to host a series of prayer meetings and community gatherings in the coming weeks, inviting families affected by the Silver Rail incident to share their stories and find support within the congregation. The church hopes the paper crane display will serve as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue about peace, safety, and the power of prayer.
For more information about visiting the display or participating in upcoming events, please contact First Presbyterian Church directly.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
