TN Shooting Reflections

If you have not heard about the shooting that took place in Tennessee this past Sunday when a gunman opened fire in the sanctuary of Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC), this is a tragedy that deserves our attention and prayers.

There will be an official denominational letter that Linda Valentine, Gradye Parsons, Byron Wade and I will send out, but I wanted to add my own personal thoughts as I too try to grapple with the events of last weekend.

I know personally when things like this happen, I am overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions:

• compassion for all involved;
• sadness that acts of violence in places of sanctuary happen at all;
• anger at the chosen actions of the shooter;
• frustration about a world that has gotten used to violence;
• hope in the ways folks have responded to show care and comfort;
• called to remember that there are acts of violence around the world every day that do not get noticed;
• pushed to think about forgiveness;
• challenge to embrace the sovereignty of God;

I know that in a vacuum we can debate the nature of God's presence in all things, but for now, I think it is important to sit with our emotions and simply acknowledge that there are times when the world just does not make sense.  And as we are ready and willing we can/must again embrace the fact that at times like this we are reminded that through all of this all we ultimately have to lean on is the love of God brought to us in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.  And more importantly, no matter what may happen, nothing can separate us from that love.

Romans 8:37-39 // ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

In all things this is where I find my comfort.

HOW WE MAY RESPOND
Again, there will be a letter to come out from Linda, Gradye, Byron and myself.  Many of have also sent notes to Second Presbyterian Church located next door that sheltered children during the shooting. In the mean time, please take time to pray for all who are effected by this event and for the countless other acts of violence that go unnoticed in our country and around the world.

I have not yet heard about ways to respond in other ways, but if you know of such things, please be sure to leave a comment and I'll update this post as appropriate.

Comments

[John Shuck]

Bruce,

Thank you for this. Good words. There are a couple of ways we can respond.

1) Knoxville Relief Fund http://www.uua.org/giving/donatenow/117168.shtml

2) Folks can attend a vigil at a nearby UU church or host one of their own. Here is a list. http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117287.shtml

3) Send condolences on-line at this blog http://knoxvillesupport.blogspot.com/

We have a close relationship with our nearby UU church and I know that they appreciate the outpouring of support from folks in other denominations.

Peace,
john

[Keri Sheckler]

Very well stated, Bruce. Thank you for sharing not only your thoughts but God's Word.

[Dave]

Good thoughts. I am also reminded (as you spoke about forgiveness) how quick I am to place blame. As the note by the shooter came out (pun intended) and his disdain for "homosexuals and liberals" was shown as motive, I was so quick to lay guilt at the feet of those who spew hate speech towards gays and lesbians as well as those who ascribe to a more liberal theology/politics. But then I realized how easy it is to start spewing hate back the other way. Your line about forgiveness reminds me that the determination of blame and guilt is NEVER up to me. Thank God for that (because those responsible for canceling Arrested Development probably would be in the 7th ring of hell if it were up to me :) ).

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

John - thanks for the resources.

Keri - thank you.

Dave - Yeah, it is WAY too easy to simply fall into black-n-white ways of thinking when something like this happens. Thank you for sharing.