This Sunday was a particularly good sermon. I'm not sure if it was because I haven't been to church in awhile (it seems I'm always working) or if Betsy just touched me again. Either way, she spoke about how we are all welcome in Christ's family....all comers....rich, poor, liberal, conservative...you get the point. Anyway, it was a great sermon.
Later that same day we had the tv on when the knews about the shooting at a Knoxville, TN church broke. Apparently, this Unitarian church is very open to everyone (including gays and lesbians) and it advertises this point. In fact, there is a new sign outside of their church that states, "Gays Welcome."
In the middle of a children's production a gunman walked into the church and opened fire. According to several church members, "he was yelling hateful things." They refused to elaborate not wanting to give this person's comments anymore attention. The gunman apparently believes in the "old south" and is a fan of confederate flags. So the thought is that this might be a hate crime. Of course, no one really knows what makes someone do something so terrible. Frankly, I don't want to know.
Out of this tragedy, 2 adults have died and several more are injured. No children were hurt. I'm not sure why this particular event has caused so much thought on my part. Probably because we go to a very open church and this could have easily been our Sunday morning. Please pray for this church and their families. Please pray that there will someday be a safe place for everyone.
I won't say any hateful things about the shooter but I am thinking them.
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3 comments:
I have been a follower of your blog for sometime. I think you have an amazing family. I read about the TN tragedy and was hoping you would have mentioned something. As a gay parent myself - I am sickened by what happened. It is by the grace of God that none of the kids in the production were the targets. He got what he wanted - 5 mnutes of fame and he is no longer "jobless" but I truly hope that others look at this as a crime against humanity as a whole and that tolerance should be taught and followed.. Thank you for your amazing blog and family.
That is terrible. I hadn't heard WHY he shot the place up.
I'm VERY glad that this wasn't during your service.
I'm not up to speed on this. We were on vacation and I did catch a glimpse of this news. But since the recent storms around here the kids (particularly Ellie) has really honed in on news reports. Just walking through the hotel lobby on our way to breakfast she caught a story about wild fires (her recent obsession) in CA.
But yes... this is just sick and wrong.
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