Unitarian Universalist churches

Unitarian Universalist churches

Bill Moyers Journal looks at hate on the airwaves
[9-12-08]

One focus is on Knoxville, Tennessee, where the recent shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church has left the pastor asking what role hateful speech from popular right-wing media personalities may have played in the tragedy. (See our earlier reports.)

The PBS announcement: "What happens when America's airwaves fill with hate? ... a tough look at the hostile industry of 'Shock Jock' media with a hard-hitting examination of its effects on our nation's political discourse."

Tonight, Friday, September 12, at 9:00 PM (EDT) on PBS (check local listings here).

It's not pleasant reading, but click here to read a full transcript of the show >>

More on the shooting at the UU church in Knoxville

Words really can kill
[8-8-08]

John Shuck, who pastors a Presbyterian church near Knoxville, reflects on the sad reality that words – and especially words that dehumanize – can kill. Read his blog >>

Witherspoon stands with UUs in Knoxville
[7-30-08]

To our UU sisters and brothers in Knoxville –

It takes courage – and firm hope – to stand for justice and the inclusion of all people in the family of faith. You all have taken just that kind of positive stand, and tragically you have paid a high price. We salute you, and as a group of progressive Presbyterians we stand with you. May the Creator’s love sustain you all in these hard days.

Doug King

for the Board of the Witherspoon Society

This message has just been posted to the Knoxvillesupport blogspot

Church leaders lift up Knoxville faith community in wake of shootings [7-30-08]

by Jerry L. Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — Four top leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have sent a letter to all of the denomination’s congregations asking them to pray for those affected by the shootings in a Knoxville, TN, church on Sunday (July 27).

The full text of the letter, dated July 29 and signed by the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly; the Rev. Byron Wade, vice-moderator of the 218th General Assembly; the Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly and Elder Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Council:

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This past Sunday morning, the enthusiasm and joy that surrounded a children’s production at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC) in Knoxville, Tenn., were shattered by the horror of shotgun blasts. Eight people were wounded or injured, two of them fatally.

The overwhelming response of support from congregations in Knoxville has been a strong example of the visible unity of Christ’s church. Second Presbyterian Church, located next to TVUUC, was a refuge for children running for safety in the immediate aftermath of the shootings, as well as a host of a candlelight service that same evening. First Baptist Church held a community prayer service earlier today. No doubt, countless more opportunities for ministry to TVUUC congregation and to everyone affected by this brutal violence will be made available, and we who watch from a distance are grateful for such generous acts of kindness and presence.

We are writing to ask that you continue to pray for the victims of the shootings – for the families of those who were killed and those who survived; for those who witnessed the violence, especially the children; for the pastoral leadership of TVUUC; for the pastors and members of neighboring and area congregations, as well as all caregivers who are ambassadors of God’s grace; and for those who feel compelled to resort to violence in the midst of their anger.

While we have no answers for why these senseless acts happen – anytime, but especially in a church sanctuary – we do profess our strong faith that, even in this terrible circumstance, God’s sure and certain hand holds all of us securely.

From the apostle Paul, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God the Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word” (2 Thess. 2:16).

Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator, 218th General Assembly (2008)

Byron Wade, Vice-Moderator, 218th General Assembly (2008)

Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

Linda Bryant Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly Council

Presbyterians stand with Unitarian Universalists in Knoxville

Two killed, others injured by a man angry at "liberals"

You’ve doubtless seen reports of the shooting at a Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Sunday morning, July 27.

For ways you or your congregation might respond >>

Here’s one Associated Press report on the killing >>

The report begins:

An out-of-work truck driver accused of opening fire at a Unitarian church, killing two people, left behind a note suggesting that he targeted the congregation out of hatred for its liberal policies, including its acceptance of gays, authorities said Monday.

A four-page letter found in Jim D. Adkisson's small SUV indicated he intentionally targeted the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church because, the police chief said, "he hated the liberal movement" and was upset with "liberals in general as well as gays."

Adkisson, a 58-year-old truck driver on the verge of losing his food stamps, had 76 rounds with him when he entered the church and pulled a shotgun from a guitar case during a children's performance of the musical "Annie."

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The Rev. John Shuck, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton, TN, some 100 miles east of Knoxville, has been reporting and reflecting on this event since Sunday, in his blog "Shuck and Jive."

He now shares with us this announcement:

The UUA has set up a weblog, Supporting Our Friends in Knoxville, for those who wish to express love and support for the members and friends of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church and the Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. According to the website:

In the meantime, if you are involved in a vigil, service of remembrance, or other event which is designed to express support for our friends in Knoxville, we invite you to email oecdirector@uua.org with information on that event, and photos if they are available. Please use the heading "Knoxville Solidarity" in the heading. We will try and collect this information as well as images (and text if you provide it) to make sure that this, too, is sent to our friends in Knoxville.

We will have a candlelight service at First Presbyterian tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. If you know of other services in the Tri-Cities, let me know, and I will post them here.

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Reflecting on a candlelight service held in Elizabethton on Sunday evening, he concludes, "I am a Presbyterian. And today, I am a Unitarian Universalist."

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Presbyterian News Service reports on how Second Presbyterian Church in Knoxville provided shelter for children fleeing the UU church after the shooting.

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Earlier today Shuck added these thoughts:

Does rock music cause anti-social behavior in teens?
Does sex education in schools make teenagers more horny?
Do video games make young men more violent?
Does Michael Savage turn people into church shooters?

Shotgun-wielding Jim Adkisson revealed his motive:

During the interview Adkisson stated that he had targeted the church because of its liberal teachings and his belief that all liberals should be killed because they were a ruining the country, and that he felt that the Democrats had tied his country's hands in the war on terror and they had ruined every institution in America with the aid of major media outlets. Adkisson made statements that because he could not get to the leaders of the liberal movement that he would then target those that had voted them in to office.

Now that is some wacked-out logic. Where would he get those ideas? Police found some interesting books in his home:

Still seized three books from Adkisson's home, including The O'Reilly Factor, by television commentator Bill O'Reilly; Liberalism is a Mental Disorder, by radio personality Michael Savage; and Let Freedom Ring, by political pundit Sean Hannity.

This is from Calvin Rye:

The Far Right is no more responsible for this tragedy than "The Fisher King" for the brutal murders it inspired. In other words, not at all. The gunman was unstable.

An unstable mind caught up in political hyperbole: Liberals hate America. Liberals hate Christians. Liberals want to destroy the family. Liberals are ruining our way of life. Liberals should be executed for treason.

You’d have to be insane to believe that crap.

To those who demonize liberals… It’s not that I blame you for these murders. It’s that I want you to recognize them as a warning sign. When someone that sick and violent finds your message that appealing, it should make you stop and think. Do you realize how hate-filled your rhetoric has become? Do you recognize the bile you’re spewing?

Posted By John Shuck to Shuck and Jive

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We're invited to get involved!

John’s latest note to your WebWeaver adds this:

Hey Doug,

I am pretty involved with the shooting in Knoxville with my connections to the local UU church in Johnson City. On a personal note, our congregation is a bit nervous about copycat stuff and safety.

I am writing because I know that the outpouring of love and support from people other than UUs has been most welcome. I am wondering if Witherspooners (perhaps including the board of Witherspoon) might send a letter of support to the congregations in Knoxville?

It’s kind of an "I am Spartacus" we stand together kind of thing. Here is my post about the relief fund.

Thanks!

John

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A practical note on getting in touch:

To send your note to the two UU congregations in Knoxville, you can go to the UU Knoxville support blogspot, scroll to the bottom of the page, and add your comments. The two congregations are the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (where the shootings took place), and the neighboring Westside Unitarian Universalist Church, many of whose members were present, too.

If you have news or comments to add
on this attack on a community of faith,
please send a note,
to be shared here.