VIGILS - for UU church shootings (Juneau the 29th, Anchorage the 30th)

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Alaska vigils for Unitarian Universalist Church shootings:

Anchorage: Wednesday at 7:30 pm
Juneau: Tuesday at 5:30 pm[/b][/color]

ANCHORAGE
            DATE: Wednesday, July 30th 2008
            TIME: 7:30pm
            LOCATION: Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
                             3201 Turnagain Street
                             Anchorage, AK 99517
Dear Friends,

We were all shocked and saddened to learn about the horrible events that took place at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville.

Apparently a deeply disturbed man entered the sanctuary yesterday during Sunday morning service, shouted “hateful things” according to a witness, and opened fire into the crowd during a children’s program. Two adult members of the church were killed, and 6 others are currently in the hospital being treated for serious injuries.

Such senseless violence happening in a place of worship and peace is difficult to process. Especially difficult is the fact that this horrible incident is now being investigated as a hate crime after a letter was found in the shooter’s car indicating that his motivation was born out of hostility toward “the liberal movement.”

Details of the letter are unavailable, but the church had just become a UU “Welcoming Congregation” openly showing their support and welcome to the GLBT community, in addition to promoting religious tolerance, and acceptance of those with differing, or no religious beliefs.

The Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, also a “Welcoming Congregation”, will be holding a candlelight vigil in support of all those affected by the tragedy, and all those who hold dear the ideals of freedom, reason and tolerance for all people.

We invite any and all to attend who wish to be together in reflection, compassion and support.

DATE: Wednesday, July 30th 2008
TIME: 7:30pm
LOCATION: Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
3201 Turnagain Street
Anchorage, AK 99517
CONTACT: Ron Devon, AUUF Board President
345-5442 (h)
301-1601 ( c)

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JUNEAU

            DATE: Tuesday, July 29th 2008
            TIME: 5:30pm
            LOCATION: Marine Park Center

Contact: Dave Dierdorff                       
523-4623 or 957-0314           
toisondor@gci.net       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2008

LOCAL [Juneau] UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS TO HOLD VIGIL
 
      The Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hold a vigil at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in the Marine Park shelter. The vigil is an expression of sympathy and support for the congregation and friends of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, following the senseless shooting in their church Sunday. It is also an expression of solidarity with our fellow Unitarian Universalists as we continue our spiritual work for social justice.

      The current lay leader of the Fellowship, Dave Dierdorff said “We invite all members and friends of Juneau’s faith community to join us in this solemn moment tomorrow. The shattering of the sanctity of any sanctuary, no matter the faith, is an attack on all of us.”

     Rev. Kenneth Torquil MacLean, who served as consulting minister for the Fellowship earlier this year, was the minister at the TVUUC for many years before his long tenure at the UU church in Bethesda, MD, so we feel a special connection with the Knoxville congregation.