Tennessee Valley UUC - shooting July 27, 2008

Our Doors and Our Hearts Will Remain Open... the message of Unitarian Universalism in the New York Times View the ad that appeared Sunday, August 10, 2008.
Shooting at Tennessee Valley UU Church, July 27, 2008 Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 10:18 a.m., a gunman walked into the sanctuary of the Tennessee Valley UU Church and opened fire. 200 people from two UU area congregations, including 25 children, were gathered for a performance of the musical Annie. Two adults were killed, and five others were hospitalized. 60-year old Greg McKendry, an usher and member of the board at TVUUC, died immediately. 61-year old Linda Kraeger, a retired teacher and member of Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, died at the hospital a few hours later. The shooter was an unemployed truck driver who claimed to have targeted the congregation because of their liberal beliefs and social activism in the community.	Knoxville Relief Fund
Tennessee Valley UU Church Rededicates Sanctuary in August 3, 2008 Service TVUUC Rededication Service was streamed by t.v. station WATE this morning. View news reports on the shooting in Knoxville at WATE.com in a special Faith Under Fire section. The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church held a special rededication service Sunday, August 3, to reaffirm their commitment to their UU principles and rededicate their sanctuary. Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, former UUA President, spoke at the rededication of the congregation he served as a new minister more than 25 years ago (1973-1981). Read the order of service on the UUA Web site. Congregations around the country included memorials for last Sunday's tragedy in Knoxville. Knoxville Relief Fund The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) in collaboration with the Thomas Jefferson District has established the Knoxville Relief Fund to bring ministry, spiritual care, and practical financial assistance to those affected by the tragedy in Knoxville, Tennessee. Your gifts will assist the Tennessee Valley UU Church and the Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and their members, and will show them that they are not alone during this time of shock and grief. To make online donations or obtain further information, visit http://www.uua.org/giving/donatenow/117168.shtml (11:00 A.M. July 31, 2008) UUA President Issues Second Statement on Tragedy UUA President William G. Sinkford, who returned to Boston late on July 30 from Knoxville, issued a second statement on the tragedy. He said, “It will take time for Unitarian Universalists to mourn and to heal. But let me assure you that we will not change our beliefs or compromise our demands for social justice. Fear will not prevent us from standing on the side of love, and we will continue to open our doors and our hearts to all people. “This Sunday, just like any other, more than one thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations will be open for business, and our business is to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, to nurture the spirits of our people, and to help heal our wounded world.” Sinkford’s complete statement can be found at http://www.uua.org/pressroom/pressreleases/117455.shtml In other related news: - UUA President William G. Sinkford and Rev. Richard Nugent of the Washington Ethical Society were interviewed by Michel Martin of National Public Radio’s “Tell Me More.” The faith matters segment on In Time of Trouble: Safety in the Sanctuary aired August 1. http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=46 - UUA Thomas Jefferson District Executive Annette Marquis’ reflection on the tragedy and the response of the Unitarian Universalist community, “I’ve Never Been So Proud,” can be found at http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117445.shtml - There have been numerous updates to a page containing messages of support and condolence from interfaith and international faith partners. See it at http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/117162.shtml - More than 500 messages of support and condolence have been posted to the blog, Supporting Our Friends in Knoxville. Add yours at http://knoxvillesupport.blogspot.com/ - Information on vigils and services of support and remembrance for the victims of the Knoxville shootings continues to be gathered and posted at http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117287.shtml If you have information to share about such an event, including photos from vigils, please email websubmissions@uua.org - Special coverage on the Knoxville shootings and the response of the Unitarian Unviersalist community can be found in UUWorld.org. See “ Knoxville stands with grieving UUs after shootings” at http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/117514.shtml?n - Additional information on the Unitarian Universalist response to the Knoxville shootings will be posted on UUA.org at http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117156.shtml Message from UUA President Rev. William Sinkford on the Shootings in the Tennessee Valley UU Church. July 27, 2008. For continuing Unitarian Universalist Association news and information, subscribe to UUA-L@lists.uua.org . `Letter to UUCA Congregation in Response to Sunday's Knoxville Shootings`
Resources Trauma Response Resources for Families and Congregations Making Meaning After Disaster, a resource by Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh Prayers from interfaith and international partners Welcoming Resources Making Meaning After Disaster: A Curriculum for Adults (PDF) Supporting Children in the Face of Trauma or Disaster
Those killed and injured were from two area congregations that were participating in a joint worship service at TVUUC. Letters of sympathy may be mailed to both Knoxville congregations: Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church 2931 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919-4624 Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 616 Fretz Road Knoxville, TN 37934-1604

Our Doors and Our Hearts Will Remain Open...

the message of Unitarian Universalism in the New York Times
View the ad that appeared Sunday, August 10, 2008.

Shooting at Tennessee Valley UU Church, July 27, 2008

Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 10:18 a.m., a gunman walked into the sanctuary of the Tennessee Valley UU Church and opened fire. 200 people from two UU area congregations, including 25 children, were gathered for a performance of the musical Annie. Two adults were killed, and five others were hospitalized.

60-year old Greg McKendry, an usher and member of the board at TVUUC, died immediately. 61-year old Linda Kraeger, a retired teacher and member of Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, died at the hospital a few hours later.

The shooter was an unemployed truck driver who claimed to have targeted the congregation because of their liberal beliefs and social activism in the community.

Knoxville Relief Fund

Tennessee Valley UU Church Rededicates Sanctuary in August 3, 2008 Service

TVUUC Rededication Service was streamed by t.v. station WATE this morning. View news reports on the shooting in Knoxville at WATE.com in a special Faith Under Fire section.

The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church held a special rededication service Sunday, August 3, to reaffirm their commitment to their UU principles and rededicate their sanctuary. Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, former UUA President, spoke at the rededication of the congregation he served as a new minister more than 25 years ago (1973-1981).
Read the order of service on the UUA Web site.

Congregations around the country included memorials for last Sunday's tragedy in Knoxville.

Knoxville Relief Fund

The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) in collaboration with the Thomas Jefferson District has established the Knoxville Relief Fund to bring ministry, spiritual care, and practical financial assistance to those affected by the tragedy in Knoxville, Tennessee. Your gifts will assist the Tennessee Valley UU Church and the Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and their members, and will show them that they are not alone during this time of shock and grief. To make online donations or obtain further information, visit http://www.uua.org/giving/donatenow/117168.shtml

(11:00 A.M. July 31, 2008)
UUA President Issues Second Statement on Tragedy

UUA President William G. Sinkford, who returned to Boston late on July 30 from Knoxville, issued a second statement on the tragedy. He said, “It will take time for Unitarian Universalists to mourn and to heal. But let me assure you that we will not change our beliefs or compromise our demands for social justice. Fear will not prevent us from standing on the side of love, and we will continue to open our doors and our hearts to all people.
“This Sunday, just like any other, more than one thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations will be open for business, and our business is to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, to nurture the spirits of our people, and to help heal our wounded world.” Sinkford’s complete statement can be found at http://www.uua.org/pressroom/pressreleases/117455.shtml

In other related news:

- UUA President William G. Sinkford and Rev. Richard Nugent of the Washington Ethical Society were interviewed by Michel Martin of National Public Radio’s “Tell Me More.” The faith matters segment on In Time of Trouble: Safety in the Sanctuary aired August 1. http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=46

- UUA Thomas Jefferson District Executive Annette Marquis’ reflection on the tragedy and the response of the Unitarian Universalist community, “I’ve Never Been So Proud,” can be found at
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117445.shtml

- There have been numerous updates to a page containing messages of support and condolence from interfaith and international faith partners. See it at
http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/117162.shtml

- More than 500 messages of support and condolence have been posted to the blog, Supporting Our Friends in Knoxville. Add yours at
http://knoxvillesupport.blogspot.com/

- Information on vigils and services of support and remembrance for the victims of the Knoxville shootings continues to be gathered and posted at
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117287.shtml
If you have information to share about such an event, including photos from vigils, please email websubmissions@uua.org

- Special coverage on the Knoxville shootings and the response of the Unitarian Unviersalist community can be found in UUWorld.org. See “ Knoxville stands with grieving UUs after shootings” at
http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/117514.shtml?n

- Additional information on the Unitarian Universalist response to the Knoxville shootings will be posted on UUA.org at
http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117156.shtml

Message from UUA President Rev. William Sinkford on the Shootings in the Tennessee Valley UU Church. July 27, 2008.

For continuing Unitarian Universalist Association news and information, subscribe to UUA-L@lists.uua.org .

Letter to UUCA Congregation in Response to Sunday's Knoxville Shootings

Resources

Trauma Response Resources for Families and Congregations

Making Meaning After Disaster, a resource by Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh

Prayers from interfaith and international partners

Welcoming Resources

Making Meaning After Disaster: A Curriculum for Adults
(PDF)

Supporting Children in the Face of Trauma or Disaster

Those killed and injured were from two area congregations that were participating in a joint worship service at TVUUC. Letters of sympathy may be mailed to both Knoxville congregations:

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
2931 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919-4624

Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
616 Fretz Road
Knoxville, TN 37934-1604