I heard about today's school shooting right before sitting down to write this evening. I have sat in front of the computer for an hour now, trying to decide how to write a response... but I keep feeling that every sentiment I want to express or question I wish to ask fails as I attempt to put it down.
Working in a high school now has heightened my sensitivity to such news stories, although as a school counselor in training, they have always stood out to me and tend to feel like a punch in the stomach. Or bricks in the chest. Or something sort of stifling and painful with a hint of deep sadness and fluttering anxiety.
All the questions that run through my head surely run through yours as well. It is difficult to make sense out of violence. Keep the people of Knoxville in your prayers. This has been a tragic month for the city.
Showing posts with label Knoxville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Knoxville. Show all posts
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
A Request
We didn't go to church today. Too much to do in preparation for a visit from Papa Gallo and the generally disjointed and hectic feel of summer has kept us away for several weeks now.
This caused me some minor sadness at missing services yet again, but I did not think much of it until we were in the car on our way home from Flamm Orchards this afternoon and Andy told me about the shooting this morning in Tennessee. It was a Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville.
Although I have been surprised and upset to hear of every church shooting that has occurred recently (and there have been frighteningly many), this one hit me harder because it was my faith. My chosen venue of worship. And so, in a sense, my people--even though I don't personally know any of them. I still feel connected through our faith, our principles, and our fellowships.
It happened at 10:15am this morning, which is exactly the time we usually leave to attend our church. At that time of morning at the Fellowship, people are usually all over the building - talking in the common room, finding seats in the fellowship hall before worship officially starts, taking excited children to RE classes and chatting with other members about summer activities. It is an atmosphere of peace, love, warmth, and connection. I am guessing the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church is very similar.
As of writing this, one person has died and eight people are in serious to critical condition at the hospital. They have a suspect in custody, and the community is banding together to support those affected by the violence.
Please, if you would, keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I have no doubts they could use your blessings.
This caused me some minor sadness at missing services yet again, but I did not think much of it until we were in the car on our way home from Flamm Orchards this afternoon and Andy told me about the shooting this morning in Tennessee. It was a Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville.
Although I have been surprised and upset to hear of every church shooting that has occurred recently (and there have been frighteningly many), this one hit me harder because it was my faith. My chosen venue of worship. And so, in a sense, my people--even though I don't personally know any of them. I still feel connected through our faith, our principles, and our fellowships.
It happened at 10:15am this morning, which is exactly the time we usually leave to attend our church. At that time of morning at the Fellowship, people are usually all over the building - talking in the common room, finding seats in the fellowship hall before worship officially starts, taking excited children to RE classes and chatting with other members about summer activities. It is an atmosphere of peace, love, warmth, and connection. I am guessing the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church is very similar.
As of writing this, one person has died and eight people are in serious to critical condition at the hospital. They have a suspect in custody, and the community is banding together to support those affected by the violence.
Please, if you would, keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I have no doubts they could use your blessings.
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