Local vigil for Tennessee vicims scheduled for Thursday

Dear Community:

Again, senseless violence has touched our lives. As we Unitarian Universalists struggle to make sense of the tragedy in Knoxville, Tennessee, we turn to each other, and to our entire community. Sanctuary means safety, and a religious sanctuary of any faith affords the attendees a feeling of safety and calm. Usually, that is. On Sunday morning in Tennessee one man whose life was unhappy shattered the holiness and safety of the sanctuary for the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalists, during a children's worship time. The news reports say that he chose us (we Unitarian Universalists) because of our liberal viewpoints on different matters, and that liberals were to blame for the problems in his life. The sorrow and destruction brought on by his violence make no sense to us and all we can do is hold each other. Our brothers and sisters in Tennessee will gather to bolster each other, to remember that love is stronger than fear or hate, that working toward peace and justice is always good work, even when it becomes dangerous, and that in crises, we have each other--our beloved community.

During that same time – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 31st, we in Elkhart will be in solidarity with them in our sanctuary. You are invited to join us in love and peace, as well as sorrow and grief. At 7:00 p.m. on July 31 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart (1732 Garden Street), we will gather together, to sing and cry and light candles and remember that in the darkness of unimaginable violence, the love of community brings a beacon of light to the hearts of all who gather.

Join us, even if our tradition is not your own.

In sorrow and faith,
Rev. Amy DeBeck, Minister
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart



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