Dear ones,
Tears are falling down my cheeks as I write this. By now, you have all heard the news of the shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church during yesterday's Sunday service, when the Sunday School children were just beginning their performance of "Annie Jr." Two people, one member of TVUUC and one a member of the Westside UU Church, were killed; five other people were shot and one person broke an ankle in escaping the church.
There were acts of heroism and clear thinking. The man who was killed reportedly put himself in front of the shooter to protect the children. RE volunteers and staff quickly gathered the children, and according to a pre-arranged plan for emergencies, brought them outside to the Presbyterian church up the hill from TVUUC. Four men from the church, including past president and University of TN history professor Dr. John Bohstedt, tackled the shooter and held him until police arrived. A mom in the church's quiet room with her infant barricaded the door to prevent entry and protect the other parents and babies inside. Medical professionals in attendance at the service cared for the wounded until emergency personnel got there. Things could have been much worse, as it appears that the gunman had a lot of ammunition with him.
This terrible tragedy is made even worse by the news that a 4-page letter in the shooter's car detail his rage at "the liberal movement." Knowing that TVUUC was purposely and specifically targeted as a "liberal" Unitarian Universalist church adds to our sense of grief and sadness -- but it also unfortunately means that we and all other UU congregations must exercise caution and awareness. Our liberal message of tolerance and openness and welcome definitely draws new members to us -- but, sadly, it can also attract the violent attention of society's misfits.
The people of TVUUC and Westside UU are already receiving support and resources from the UU Trauma Response Ministry, from nearby UU churches in Oak Ridge and Chattanooga, and from other religious communities. Special counseling sessions for adults and children will be going on during the day today, and vigil services will be held tonight. My colleague and friend Rev. Chris Buice has returned from his sabbatical and is ministering to his congregation. In a public statement, he asked for everyone's prayers.
I will send another email out later this week as we know more about this tragedy, and as the needs of the congregation become more clear. The impulse to respond is deep in us all, but I urge you NOT to do several things: do NOT call the congregation; do NOT email the congregation; do NOT send anything that has not been specifically asked for; do NOT show up at the congregation. As we know from Katrina, while well-meaning, all of these responses can often mean that the congregation gets diverted to handling increased calls and mail and packages and emails, and kept from doing what it needs to do at this time. If any donation funds are created, and contributions asked for, I will let you know. TVUUV is a large and generally well-off congregation. Even though we feel the urge to help, and right away, right now they need our prayers and good thoughts more than anything else.
News of this terrible incident will likely continue for some time, and as details come out, it will become even more clear how UUism itself was targeted. We should be aware of the needs and concerns of our own church's children as they hear of what happened. Our children may wonder if they are safe at our church; this kind of anxiety would be natural. Open and honest communication is best. The UU Trauma Response Ministry website has some resources on responding to children in these situations (http://www.traumami nistry.org/ resources. htm). If you have children, you may want to suggest that your children draw pictures or make cards to send (eventually) to the children of TVUUC. As we remember from receiving the drawings, banners, and cards from UU Sunday School children, knowing that others are thinking of you after a tragedy is important.
I will also ask our Board and Religious Education Team to immediately begin work on an updated emergency plan, so that we could respond appropriately should anything similar to this terrible event happen to First Church. Such a plan would also be helpful in terms of the natural emergencies that we know all too well can occur. I will keep you informed about progress on the plan as it is developed.
This is a terrible thing. It tears at our very sense of peace and safety that most of us come to church for. Let us pull together as a congregation and as a faith. Let us prepare ourselves but without thinking we have to become a citadel. Unitarian Universalism' s message for the world is a positive one, a glowing beacon of welcome and inclusion. We cannot let this tragedy change us or our message.
Thank you in advance for the prayers and good thoughts I know you are already sending to our brothers and sisters of East Tennessee. Any trauma that happens brings up memories of past traumas, so I know that some of you will be coping again with memories and nightmares of Katrina. I am available to you if you want to talk. Please don't hesitate to call me or make an appointment.
I love you all, and we can get through this together.
In faith,
Rev. Melanie (The Rev.) Melanie Morel-Ensminger
First UU Church
2903 Jefferson Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 866-9010 church office
church blog: firstuuno.blogspot. com
Personal blog: NolaRev.blogspot. com
From:
Melanie Morel-EnsmingerSent: Jul 28, 2008 10:22 AM
