(no subject)
The following is copied from my congregation's weekly newsletter authored by Rev. Phyllis Hunt. She talks about the recent shooting at a UUC in Tennesee, and I wanted to share it here.
A Call to Prayer
I am not free if I am taking away someone else's freedom,
just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me...
to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
~ Nelson Mandela, South Africa
Dear Beloved Community,
By now you have probably heard the tragic and devastating news that not only impacted a church but also a community which extends beyond the geographical boundaries of land, air and seas. In response to this tragedy, UFMCC wrote the following: "Monday, 27 July 2008, an armed man entered a youth performance held at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC) in Knoxville, TN. He opened fire and shot 8 people, killing two before he was tackled and wrestled to the ground by members of the congregation."
The news of these events, a tragic occurrence in the lives of Tennessee Valley UUC, has been difficult to bear for those connected to MCC sister church, Metropolitan Community Church in Knoxville (MCCK). During the first eight years in the history of the local congregation, MCC Knoxville worshipped and met in spaces hosted by the congregation of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. On July 27th, the two congregations shared a common bond. On July 28th they are one community sharing a common loss.
MCC celebrates and remembers the life of Greg McKendry, 60, one of two people killed in this incomprehensible shooting. Mr. McKendry, 60, was an usher and long-time member of TVUUC. Reports say that Mr. McKendry stood in front of the gunman to protect other church members. MCC Pastor, Bob Galloway, shared that Mr. McKendry had been working on an upcoming financial presentation for the members of MCCK.
Chris Buice, the pastor at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, has asked that MCC pray for the Church, those killed and injured, and for the family and friends of all involved. If you would like to send letters of support and condolences to these two churches, they should be sent to:
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
2931 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
Rev Chris Buice
www.tvuuc.org
Metropolitan Community Church of Knoxville, Tennessee
7820 Redeemer Lane
Knoxville, TN 37919
Rev. Bob Galloway
mcck@mccknoxville.org
In this moment stop what you are doing and pray this prayer. Not just for the hearts and lives lost, injured and grieving, but for people everywhere who long for peace, for true peace begins in each of us.
God, all humanity cries out to you:
Give us peace, pax, pace, paix, shalom, amani . . .
peace in our families and peace among families,
peace in our country and peace among countries,
peace in our continent and peace among continents,
Peace in each religion and peace among different religions,
for we are all your children.
Give us peace, pax, pace, paix, shalom, amani . . .
peace in our minds,
peace in our words,
peace in our attitudes,
peace in our hearts,
peace in our thoughts,
peace in our actions,
make peace become our behavior.
Give us peace, pax, pace, paix, shalom, amani . . .
Inspire those in power:
to act justly in sharing wealth,
to govern with love,
to resolve problems by dialogue,
to respect human rights,
to promote the whole human being.
Give us peace, pax,pace,paix,shalom,amani . . . Amen.
~ Augustine, Congo
blessings,
Phyllis
Crossposted to transchristian
A Call to Prayer
I am not free if I am taking away someone else's freedom,
just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me...
to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
~ Nelson Mandela, South Africa
Dear Beloved Community,
By now you have probably heard the tragic and devastating news that not only impacted a church but also a community which extends beyond the geographical boundaries of land, air and seas. In response to this tragedy, UFMCC wrote the following: "Monday, 27 July 2008, an armed man entered a youth performance held at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC) in Knoxville, TN. He opened fire and shot 8 people, killing two before he was tackled and wrestled to the ground by members of the congregation."
The news of these events, a tragic occurrence in the lives of Tennessee Valley UUC, has been difficult to bear for those connected to MCC sister church, Metropolitan Community Church in Knoxville (MCCK). During the first eight years in the history of the local congregation, MCC Knoxville worshipped and met in spaces hosted by the congregation of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. On July 27th, the two congregations shared a common bond. On July 28th they are one community sharing a common loss.
MCC celebrates and remembers the life of Greg McKendry, 60, one of two people killed in this incomprehensible shooting. Mr. McKendry, 60, was an usher and long-time member of TVUUC. Reports say that Mr. McKendry stood in front of the gunman to protect other church members. MCC Pastor, Bob Galloway, shared that Mr. McKendry had been working on an upcoming financial presentation for the members of MCCK.
Chris Buice, the pastor at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, has asked that MCC pray for the Church, those killed and injured, and for the family and friends of all involved. If you would like to send letters of support and condolences to these two churches, they should be sent to:
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
2931 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
Rev Chris Buice
www.tvuuc.org
Metropolitan Community Church of Knoxville, Tennessee
7820 Redeemer Lane
Knoxville, TN 37919
Rev. Bob Galloway
mcck@mccknoxville.org
In this moment stop what you are doing and pray this prayer. Not just for the hearts and lives lost, injured and grieving, but for people everywhere who long for peace, for true peace begins in each of us.
God, all humanity cries out to you:
Give us peace, pax, pace, paix, shalom, amani . . .
peace in our families and peace among families,
peace in our country and peace among countries,
peace in our continent and peace among continents,
Peace in each religion and peace among different religions,
for we are all your children.
Give us peace, pax, pace, paix, shalom, amani . . .
peace in our minds,
peace in our words,
peace in our attitudes,
peace in our hearts,
peace in our thoughts,
peace in our actions,
make peace become our behavior.
Give us peace, pax, pace, paix, shalom, amani . . .
Inspire those in power:
to act justly in sharing wealth,
to govern with love,
to resolve problems by dialogue,
to respect human rights,
to promote the whole human being.
Give us peace, pax,pace,paix,shalom,amani . . . Amen.
~ Augustine, Congo
blessings,
Phyllis
Crossposted to transchristian