Tragedy in Tennessee Valley
Patricia Infante
This is a difficult time for all Unitarian Universalists. Some of
you are still on your July hiatus and some of you are at your post while the
minister is away. You may be wondering how to best support our brothers and
sisters in Tennessee and wondering what the impact may be on your own
congregation. Feelings of grief, sadness, fear and alienation may be
resonating through your community. You may be experiencing many of those
same things on a personal level and wondering if, and how, you can minister
to others when you are hurting yourself. Your presence, your non-anxious
presence, is vital to the families, the children and the youth of your
congregation.
I recommend that you offer a variety of resources as well as a place for
folks to seek solace, to find comfort, and simply, to talk about feelings
they may be having with regard to this violation of all that we hold dear.
I am at the UU Leadership Team Institute and not able to get immediate
access to my library of resources but I want you to know that I can be
reached by cell phone. I encourage you to call me at 302-650-7185 for any
questions or concerns or if you just need to talk. There are numerous books
and online references available to you and the REACH and LREDA lists are
always a tremendous source of support and wisdom. I am forwarding you an
email that was sent by the Rev. Ken Hurto, District Executive in the Florida
District. I think it provides some excellent resources and some encouraging
words in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
During the next few days and weeks please be liberal with hugs, be gentle
with those close to you and keep those in our UU family who are struggling
with grief and loss in your thoughts and in your hearts.
Blessings,
Pat
Patricia Hall Infante
Director for Lifespan Faith Development
Joseph Priestley District of the UUA
100 W. 10th St., Suite 1008
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-650-7185 (Cell)
A Pastoral Note from Our District Executive
July 29, 2008
Dear Florida District Unitarian Universalists,
The tragic shootings during a children's service in our congregation in
Knoxville, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, last Sunday,
July 27th, touches all. Two adult members were killed, seven others injured.
The very idea of a sanctuary, our home of love, the chalice of our ideals
and cradle for the sacred, being violated in this way is beyond the pale.
Florida District Unitarian Universalists have been reaching out to our
friends. Several of our congregations are holding prayer vigils and other
observations this week. [Please let the Unitarian Universalist Association
know; see below.] Bless you for your care.
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFU7rRivtrDMu8zkqUJQWygrGW7T7GeckfHmw4KM
CTQmJ4EacDDMmlHyl3L6i1_V9Hj1LymW6vKkbjWnnQUKPKJaX81gKmlQvfJf2hzeqmJ3Yqb_scK_
7OXF>
At present, the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response team - so helpful to
us after the 2004 hurricanes - is on the scene. Monday evening, the Reverend
Bill Sinkford, Unitarian Universalist Association President, participated in
a vigil held that evening. The Reverend Chris Buice, Minister, returned from
his sabbatical to minister to his people. The Knoxville congregation and
neighboring Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, who also had members
in attendance at the service, are being held tenderly in the arms of our
wider Unitarian Universalist care.
If you would like to express your care directly, may I suggest notes be sent
to:
Rev. Christopher Buice
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
2931 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
It is safe to say that some of us have a direct relation to our friends in
Tennessee. It is also likely that we have in our congregations those who
have had other traumas in their lives which may re-echo as the news goes
out. So, let us hold one another tenderly as well. May we open our hearts
and our sanctuaries to those in need of consolation, support, and meaning in
the face of this.
I list below resources and other information provided by our Unitarian
Universalist Association to help us cope with this terrible event. I commend
to you especially The Reverend Sarah Gibb Millspaugh's "Meaning After
Disaster."
Of course, we need especially to assure our children that church remains a
safe place for them. I call your attention to: Helping Children and
Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Community Members Can Do
from the National Institute of Mental Health
[http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescent
s-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-what-community-members-can-do.shtml]
Meanwhile, the Reverend Naomi King [Minister, River of Grass, Plantation],
in a letter to her own congregation, counsels:
* "wait for your children to ask the questions they have
* reassure them: "I love you. I'll keep you as safe as I can."
* turn off the television; repeated exposure actually can create trauma.
* listen to what's in the background: radio, internet, etcetera.
* find out what they're feeling
* be ready to speak about violence
* help them find their voices and make a constructive response."
May I suggest also that you provide opportunity for members to be present to
each other on these matters during or following your worship services this
Sunday.
The unfolding news suggests that this tragedy is a mixture of hate as well
as the personal despair of one man. We may respond rightly with anger to
this assault on our people's lives and our sacred comment to love and
justice have been assaulted. Time enough for that. For now, let us rest in
the grieving and comfort the sorrow. Let us give the world our love, not our
curses.
The Reverend Allison Farnum is the newly called Minister to our Fort Myers
congregation. She grew up in the Knoxville church. In preparing for a vigil
Wednesday evening, Allison observed:
"A sanctuary has been violated, as well as our sense of the sacred. We may
choose how to respond to such a crisis, recalling the many religious
traditions that stand on the side of love and courage instead of fear and
violence. Please send prayers for grace and healing to our brothers and
sisters in Knoxville whose lives have been turned upside down by this act of
violence."
May it be so. May it be so. All Blessings, Rev Kenn
Resources from our Unitarian Universalist Association:
* UUA President William G. Sinkford's statement on the tragedy:
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117154.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFXuzACBJHsgQssYFQIgNW4NFftRgfrCel6g9dke
QrCVSl66tZfHBmeWwt7ziqrw_WoUnN7CoxRTUltYExr-OYdXmMMImtKnXfOMbn7EiOlrbHaBSISN
ErSuYGL_RPOMwaY4hzZO7F-njclC0yNqYnd6>
* Response Resources for Families and Congregations
http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/leaderslibrary/117164.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFX6mpBu__oQIRJ-DVMO6QNfRA00YpeVYIWFORzv
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* "Making Meaning After Disaster," by Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh
http://www.uua.org/documents/lfd/workshop_making_meaning_after_disaster_0807
27.pdf
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFWrPHAtrsmSBpa8NIHEyo-pjyNXdDLB7jNhmF1G
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* Prayers from interfaith and international partners can be found at:
http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/117162.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFU6cXfmtIFpIAfrDSjE5xXHy6admGv2o1zeLMqc
Tc8tnkmYlMjryZ2IUlWTi4eDOG3yEhTFzFTeu2nKn_kWObeOKCGn-HA4RZUyPgrBKgqk8VygceME
1jfUAKEJx_1wKJ6LbOMKCbd3wg==>
* UUWorld.org is posting up to date reports.
http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/117286.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFXXActSlrbDqZw5RGgqvvKfytAJwvAz9qmQu7Vi
6VdaQvp7hlqNVM4Wa5AC9gHaqTCTMYO4XEIm6TA9UAEOD73ZJVy_Q5p3KjKMLJ8wRkc5rYvGpKkx
A8eYp-flYElzdHiCScxjjAyM7Q==>
* Information on vigils and services of remembrance is being collected
and posted at http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117287.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFVeaY-ZCN4Sxy5SsLpDmK89f8XTMO93Rv1fsav6
VNkuO-ZL-ngjTY2nBix0Gz5dpCt2GzgAns4hfv4vYxyUN44OU40RMiK0E9DeeRktlqje8hi7aZL-
9bu55XiYQhZq_9cITNIfze0e3jk-iRoUS6G9>
* The Unitarian Universalist Association has opened a web space for those
who wish to share messages of support with Unitarian Universalists of
Knoxville. Please visit this new site to read or to post your own message:
http://knoxvillesupport.blogspot.com/
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFWAzwjWZhEtpMuuhlZp6bG9AP77GVPt7peT7KTT
kbQu_SocWQaxeRUly-I19Os5RCOoeg9bz5gDMsEBFNeXBa5J376VCMbl5kngGFpCk4Ai_652BJ8z
fdtJ>
* Information on the Unitarian Universalist response to the Knoxville
shootings will be updated regularly and posted at
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117156.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFXZMSWvMix6t-OKxVkAiqKtaZ-KZAFnH7wn-tjQ
nWJ94WoIdd2eC-7mEccF_w2W88NIdXZBbOGNR3g--3ztgkcCwPFHFaTDw2GVfbFX7Bjjd16IdElo
93dtEAMaBc1zLCYg4cuR2MDG29DHMD57U7V->
A Pastoral Note from Our District Executive
July 29, 2008
Dear Florida District Unitarian Universalists,
The tragic shootings during a children's service in our congregation in
Knoxville, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, last Sunday,
July 27th, touches all. Two adult members were killed, seven others injured.
The very idea of a sanctuary, our home of love, the chalice of our ideals
and cradle for the sacred, being violated in this way is beyond the pale.
Florida District Unitarian Universalists have been reaching out to our
friends. Several of our congregations are holding prayer vigils and other
observations this week. [Please let the Unitarian Universalist Association
know; see below.] Bless you for your care.
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFU7rRivtrDMu8zkqUJQWygrGW7T7GeckfHmw4KM
CTQmJ4EacDDMmlHyl3L6i1_V9Hj1LymW6vKkbjWnnQUKPKJaX81gKmlQvfJf2hzeqmJ3Yqb_scK_
7OXF>
At present, the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response team - so helpful to
us after the 2004 hurricanes - is on the scene. Monday evening, the Reverend
Bill Sinkford, Unitarian Universalist Association President, participated in
a vigil held that evening. The Reverend Chris Buice, Minister, returned from
his sabbatical to minister to his people. The Knoxville congregation and
neighboring Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, who also had members
in attendance at the service, are being held tenderly in the arms of our
wider Unitarian Universalist care.
If you would like to express your care directly, may I suggest notes be sent
to:
Rev. Christopher Buice
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
2931 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
It is safe to say that some of us have a direct relation to our friends in
Tennessee. It is also likely that we have in our congregations those who
have had other traumas in their lives which may re-echo as the news goes
out. So, let us hold one another tenderly as well. May we open our hearts
and our sanctuaries to those in need of consolation, support, and meaning in
the face of this.
I list below resources and other information provided by our Unitarian
Universalist Association to help us cope with this terrible event. I commend
to you especially The Reverend Sarah Gibb Millspaugh's "Meaning After
Disaster."
Of course, we need especially to assure our children that church remains a
safe place for them. I call your attention to: Helping Children and
Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Community Members Can Do
from the National Institute of Mental Health
[http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescent
s-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-what-community-members-can-do.shtml]
Meanwhile, the Reverend Naomi King [Minister, River of Grass, Plantation],
in a letter to her own congregation, counsels:
* "wait for your children to ask the questions they have
* reassure them: "I love you. I'll keep you as safe as I can."
* turn off the television; repeated exposure actually can create trauma.
* listen to what's in the background: radio, internet, etcetera.
* find out what they're feeling
* be ready to speak about violence
* help them find their voices and make a constructive response."
May I suggest also that you provide opportunity for members to be present to
each other on these matters during or following your worship services this
Sunday.
The unfolding news suggests that this tragedy is a mixture of hate as well
as the personal despair of one man. We may respond rightly with anger to
this assault on our people's lives and our sacred comment to love and
justice have been assaulted. Time enough for that. For now, let us rest in
the grieving and comfort the sorrow. Let us give the world our love, not our
curses.
The Reverend Allison Farnum is the newly called Minister to our Fort Myers
congregation. She grew up in the Knoxville church. In preparing for a vigil
Wednesday evening, Allison observed:
"A sanctuary has been violated, as well as our sense of the sacred. We may
choose how to respond to such a crisis, recalling the many religious
traditions that stand on the side of love and courage instead of fear and
violence. Please send prayers for grace and healing to our brothers and
sisters in Knoxville whose lives have been turned upside down by this act of
violence."
May it be so. May it be so. All Blessings, Rev Kenn
Resources from our Unitarian Universalist Association:
* UUA President William G. Sinkford's statement on the tragedy:
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117154.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFXuzACBJHsgQssYFQIgNW4NFftRgfrCel6g9dke
QrCVSl66tZfHBmeWwt7ziqrw_WoUnN7CoxRTUltYExr-OYdXmMMImtKnXfOMbn7EiOlrbHaBSISN
ErSuYGL_RPOMwaY4hzZO7F-njclC0yNqYnd6>
* Response Resources for Families and Congregations
http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/leaderslibrary/117164.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFX6mpBu__oQIRJ-DVMO6QNfRA00YpeVYIWFORzv
6sGTb_4QmNzCfXS_xZ5-VVNdTYT0DglCYA8T4UlQKEf0kZN7pj8CWlWOq3t1HAlrYaUMHIUZCS0L
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* "Making Meaning After Disaster," by Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh
http://www.uua.org/documents/lfd/workshop_making_meaning_after_disaster_0807
27.pdf
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFWrPHAtrsmSBpa8NIHEyo-pjyNXdDLB7jNhmF1G
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* Prayers from interfaith and international partners can be found at:
http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/117162.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFU6cXfmtIFpIAfrDSjE5xXHy6admGv2o1zeLMqc
Tc8tnkmYlMjryZ2IUlWTi4eDOG3yEhTFzFTeu2nKn_kWObeOKCGn-HA4RZUyPgrBKgqk8VygceME
1jfUAKEJx_1wKJ6LbOMKCbd3wg==>
* UUWorld.org is posting up to date reports.
http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/117286.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFXXActSlrbDqZw5RGgqvvKfytAJwvAz9qmQu7Vi
6VdaQvp7hlqNVM4Wa5AC9gHaqTCTMYO4XEIm6TA9UAEOD73ZJVy_Q5p3KjKMLJ8wRkc5rYvGpKkx
A8eYp-flYElzdHiCScxjjAyM7Q==>
* Information on vigils and services of remembrance is being collected
and posted at http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117287.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFVeaY-ZCN4Sxy5SsLpDmK89f8XTMO93Rv1fsav6
VNkuO-ZL-ngjTY2nBix0Gz5dpCt2GzgAns4hfv4vYxyUN44OU40RMiK0E9DeeRktlqje8hi7aZL-
9bu55XiYQhZq_9cITNIfze0e3jk-iRoUS6G9>
* The Unitarian Universalist Association has opened a web space for those
who wish to share messages of support with Unitarian Universalists of
Knoxville. Please visit this new site to read or to post your own message:
http://knoxvillesupport.blogspot.com/
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFWAzwjWZhEtpMuuhlZp6bG9AP77GVPt7peT7KTT
kbQu_SocWQaxeRUly-I19Os5RCOoeg9bz5gDMsEBFNeXBa5J376VCMbl5kngGFpCk4Ai_652BJ8z
fdtJ>
* Information on the Unitarian Universalist response to the Knoxville
shootings will be updated regularly and posted at
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117156.shtml
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001vhYEE6zwTFXZMSWvMix6t-OKxVkAiqKtaZ-KZAFnH7wn-tjQ
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