Called to Gather in Sympathy and Strength: A Letter from the UUA Moderator
August 1, 2008
Friends:
I write today to ask each of you to invoke the strength, compassion, and healing power of our Unitarian Universalist congregations.
Last Sunday morning, a horrible tragedy took place at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. The sanctuary that Knoxville Unitarian Universalist (UU) families make holy by their presence each Sunday was marred by violence. Many of our congregations have held vigils, or are planning to hold vigils or special services. Hundreds of people have already contributed to a relief fund. Our collective prayers have been felt in Knoxville. But there is more you can do.
This Sunday, August 3, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalists will return to their sanctuary and hold a service of rededication. I invite all Unitarian Universalists to engage in a simple yet radical act of solidarity this Sunday: attend services at a Unitarian Universalist congregation. You don’t need to travel to Knoxville to grieve, or question, or light candles, or meditate, or pray this Sunday. When Unitarian Universalists congregations are bound together, whether by tragedy or by common purpose, all congregations are ours, and we are theirs.
If you are home this weekend, give your congregation the gift of your presence on Sunday. If your congregation is not holding services this Sunday, please attend services at a nearby congregation. You will be warmly welcomed. If, like me, you are traveling this weekend, use the "Find a Congregation" feature on UUA.org to locate a UU community near your destination.
We who know the healing power of community are called to gather in sympathy and strength each week, but particularly this week. I hope to see you in church on Sunday.
Gini Courter,
Moderator
Unitarian
Universalist Association
Last updated on Friday, August 1, 2008.
