Prayers/Thoughts/Meditations
A gunman walked into the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church during this morning's service and opened fire. One person has already died.
I didn't attend a UU church until we moved to Maryland, but I drove past TVUUC countless times on Kingston Pike on my way back and forth to the west side of Knoxville. Despite never attending services at TVUUC, I knew first-hand the good work this church did as a liberal voice in conservative Knoxville. While I led the GLBT student group on campus, I always knew that I could look to the members and leadership of TVUUC to help with our activities in the larger community and that they would provide support by standing tall with us.
At the same time this was happening this morning, I was sitting in the sanctuary of my own UU congregation. When Alyssa told me the news a few minutes ago, I was stunned. These people were doing the same thing this morning that I was doing. Now, a safe place where many seek refuge and healing has been violated. They will recover and reclaim that space, of course, but it can't ever be the same.
I am holding TVUUC and its members in my heart right now.
I didn't attend a UU church until we moved to Maryland, but I drove past TVUUC countless times on Kingston Pike on my way back and forth to the west side of Knoxville. Despite never attending services at TVUUC, I knew first-hand the good work this church did as a liberal voice in conservative Knoxville. While I led the GLBT student group on campus, I always knew that I could look to the members and leadership of TVUUC to help with our activities in the larger community and that they would provide support by standing tall with us.
At the same time this was happening this morning, I was sitting in the sanctuary of my own UU congregation. When Alyssa told me the news a few minutes ago, I was stunned. These people were doing the same thing this morning that I was doing. Now, a safe place where many seek refuge and healing has been violated. They will recover and reclaim that space, of course, but it can't ever be the same.
I am holding TVUUC and its members in my heart right now.