Earlier this week, I got an email from a colleague in Cleveland asking others and me planning to participate in a meeting in March about how we felt about flying to attend an in-person Resource Retreat. A small cohort of consultants has been assembled to review an extensive collection of books, curricula, websites, podcasts, and other resources that will be part of our denomination's significant faith formation initiative. A few of us have been part of multiple curricula development projects over several decades. Others are younger and bring fresh eyes and fresh perspectives to the project. We hope to make these resources available to churches as soon as possible through a dynamic new website developed through our church’s “Love of Children” project. I have been very excited about the project because our congregations need those resources. It has been too long since our denomination has had the funding and focus to offer new resources of this type to congregations.

We need to accomplish work that can be expedited by a face-to-face meeting. While we are all experienced with remote work and meetings, there is a type of collaboration that works best when we are together. Because we bring different skills and types of expertise, we can bring multiple perspectives to the large volume of potential resources. Many of us have been at work proposing resources for possible inclusion, which need to be reviewed by others. Also, some of us have been working together as educational consultants for years, and we know that being together will spark our minds regarding additional resources that any one of us as an individual might miss.

The purpose of the email message, however, was to check in with the group specifically about our willingness to travel by air. The memo was written after the collision of an airliner and a helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington DC that resulted in the deaths of 67 and after the tragic air ambulance crash in Philadelphia that left seven dead and 24 injured. There have been other times when dramatic and tragic accidents have occurred in clusters, which often spur fears of flying.

While I am grateful for the concern expressed in the email message, like my colleagues, I quickly responded that the work we need to do makes the required air travel important. Those who know me expected me to answer that way. I know how safe air travel is. I grew up among pilots, and I know the statistics. I am quick to reassure those who have fears with information about the safest way to travel available to us. Still, I have been careful to restrict my travel because I know how inefficient airline travel is regarding energy consumption and carbon pollution.

I won’t be afraid to fly when the time comes. I enjoy flying every time I have the opportunity. I sometimes grow a bit weary of all of the security and waiting that is now required when flying, but it still makes me happy to board an airplane. I have so many good memories of flying as a pilot and passenger. I will, however, be traveling with a heavy heart and sadness for those who have lost loved ones in what has turned out to be a very tragic week. Yesterday, I kept checking my computer for news about the Behring Air flight that went missing while flying in harsh winter conditions over the Behring Sea from Unakleet to Nome.

Behring Air is an experienced carrier with scheduled airline service and Part 35 charter operations in Alaska. Alaska's Remote areas depend on air travel for essential goods and necessary travel. Large aircraft are not practical for many trips as the number of people and the amount of goods required are too small to require such big planes. Several smaller carriers have developed skill and experience in operating smaller planes in harsh conditions. Behring Air is known for using the best aircraft in the safest manner possible. They had never before had an accident involving losing an airplane.

The news that the wreckage had been found crushed hopes that there might be survivors. The pilot and nine passengers all perished.

It is essential to be clear that while these three tragedies occurred within just over a week, they do not share a single cause. They are related in time, but not circumstance. Accident investigators focus on heavy air traffic, night vision equipment, radio communications, and other factors in the DC accident. In the Philadelphia accident, investigators will examine voice recordings and other data to determine whether spatial disorientation was a factor as the plane entered clouds right after takeoff and did not follow the assigned path. In Alaska, investigators will focus on the plane’s TKO deice system. All three accidents likely had different causes. These accidents weren’t caused by disruptions following political changes in Washington. They could have happened under any director of the Federal Aviation Administration. The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct thorough and professional investigations into each accident. It is wrong to use such tragedies for political gain.

It would help if top administration officials acknowledged the depth of these tragedies and the pain of those who have lost loved ones. Although nothing can take away the pain of sudden and traumatic loss, having political leaders stand with the victims and share their grief can help. I have carefully read the statement of Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who said, “When tragedy strikes, we’re never far removed from the Alaskans directly impacted.” Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said he was “heartbroken.” “Our prayers are with the passengers, the pilot, and their loved ones during this difficult time.” I am grateful for their expressions of compassion.

I know empathy and compassion are not marks of leadership in the current administration in Washington, D.C., and I don’t expect the President to assume the role of compassionate healer. However, I wish his handlers would prevent him from making false claims, harsh attacks, and laying blame in the wrong places. He won’t weep for the losses.

I will, and I won’t forget them when I have the privilege of traveling safely later this spring.