On behalf of the community and leadership at The SOMA Gathering (Beaver Falls) and the board and staff at Crop & Kettle (New Brighton):

We extend our utmost thanks to the community of Beaver Falls, the partners of Crop & Kettle, and countless other caring individuals across the greater community. In the aftermath of the death of our beloved colleague, friend, and Sister, Rebecca (Becky) Miller, the outpouring of love and support from so many of you has been deeply felt and warmly embraced. Your thoughtfulness and encouragement through calls, texts, emails, messages, letters, and various other forms reminds us of the greater hope that we have in Christ and the strength that we can lean on in times of difficulty through the power of the collective community. If your message has so far been unreciprocated, please know that it is not because it has gone unheard or disregarded. Rather, it is merely because so many of us are still deeply grieving and processing this unthinkable tragedy. We thank you for your kindness and we ask for continued patience for both our organizations, the persons who lead & serve within them, and the Miller family as we walk through this season of suffering.

Regarding the circumstances of Becky’s death, it is of paramount importance to note that members of SOMA and Crop & Kettle are either unaware and/or unable to share any information regarding the details of the ongoing investigation with due respect to confidentiality. We thank you in advance for your privacy and understanding and we would like to extend our gratitude to local and county law enforcement for their diligence and thoroughness as they compile the details of the case. We pray that information collected and evidence gathered would align to bring justice to Becky and the Miller family. To bring greater swiftness and peace to this challenging circumstance, we invite you to join us in lifting up the following prayer:

“Jesus, our Friend, Father, Brother, and King: Please bring justice to this situation and peace to our community. Lord, in your mercy, work in the heart of the one who committed this crime to bring their heart to surrender and confession through an encounter with your tender mercy.”

There are many in the greater community who did not have the opportunity to know Becky personally, yet have been captivated by her story and have extended heartfelt sympathies. We wish you had the chance get to know the beautiful woman that she was! Undoubtedly, you would have walked away both laughing and simultaneously inspired like so many of us who had the blessing of knowing her closely.

In her constant pursuit of God, Becky entered into the life of the SOMA community early in 2023. She quickly built bonds that led to deeper friendships and employment as an administrator at SOMA’s church plant Mosaic Community Church. In God’s larger plan for her, this connection with Mosaic quickly led to her to attend an informational orientation session for the workforce training program at Crop & Kettle in March of 2023. Right away it was very clear how gifted and intelligent she was, having achieved higher education than even most of the staff. Like many students who enroll in Crop & Kettle, she arrived with past barriers and trauma. Even still, Becky had three very important things: faith, hope, and determination.

Fast forward a few months later, Becky graduated with nearly perfect attendance from Crop & Kettle in August-2023 and earned every certificate possible within the program. She endeared herself to the staff, partners, and fellow classmates so much so, that she was hired into the organization as a Catering Chef upon completing the program. Much more importantly, she broke through the barriers that had been holding her back and her true charm, kindness, creativity, and quick-witted sense of humor began to really shine through! All Becky needed was the time to process, the space to reflect without judgment, the grace to mess up and try again, and the opportunity to bring light and life to her own visions for a brighter future. Crop & Kettle was honored to provide that space and walk alongside her, and it was our even greater joy to watch her flourish through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Outside the community of Crop & Kettle, Becky’s vibrant humor, hospitality, and care for others made a deep impact in the lives of those who were honored to call her friend and Sister within the body of Christ in our community. Many will remember belly-laughing on the floor at her creative story-telling abilities and her quick-witted comebacks balanced with her disarming vulnerability and authenticity.

As she planned for the future, Becky had a strong desire to create a safe place for others to find help the way that she did and, following graduation at Crop & Kettle, she began pursuing the development of her own non-profit. She had a vision to open a soup kitchen with long-term plans to expand into a one-stop resource center for people in need. Her passion and compassion were contagious as she shared her vision. In just a short time, she gained the interest and partnership of many prominent leaders within the community.

It’s remarkable to consider the transformative trajectory of Becky’s final months on this earth. The leaders at Crop & Kettle hope that every student who goes through the program will look like a different version of themselves by the time they graduate. Not because they are “changed” but rather because a light has been shined on who God created them to be and a brighter and truer version of themself can come forward. In Becky’s case, not only did the light shine on her, but she quickly began to reflect that light toward others. That’s a work that only the Holy Spirit can do! At Crop & Kettle and SOMA, we’re just grateful that we got to observe it first-hand and even hold a little bit of her light for ourselves.

As our organizations continue to grieve the deep loss of our colleague, friend, and Sister, we acknowledge how painful it can be to move forward with daily life in the midst of tragedy. Our organizations are appropriately leaning into counseling for healing, providing space and grace for lament, and, most importantly, clinging to the hope we have in Christ. We choose to celebrate what Jesus did in Becky’s life, what He has done in the lives of countless others through the programs at Crop & Kettle and the community at SOMA, and we trust in what He will continue to do. We firmly believe in the power of community and are greatly encouraged by those who have reached out and shared their condolences and love for Becky. We know we are stronger together and thus ask for continued prayer as we press forward through this tragic loss. For those looking for a tangible way to remember Becky, consider making a warm pot of soup to enjoy with your loved ones as you reminisce!

It is said that, “Even the smallest amount of light is infinitely more powerful than the deepest darkness.” And scripture tells us, “The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5 NLT)

This sorrow is deep and dark, but the darkness has not and will not overcome.

The Light prevails. We thank you for shining your light alongside us.

In Christ,