Musings Along Life's Way: For Whom the Bell Tolls

Dear Friends,
Last week, just before our youth returned from the National Youth Event in Knoxville, Tennessee, we learned of the tragedy at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. A man entered the church's sanctuary on a Sunday morning and opened fire, killing two people. For those of us who gather each week for worship, this is way too close to home, the violation is far too extreme. As we gather in community we assume that we are safe and that we are able to express ourselves fully in worship, without fear. Such a violent act creates a climate of dis - ease. We join with our brothers and sisters in Unitarian Universalist churches across the country as we contemplate the actions of a week ago in Knoxville. Below is a letter that I sent on our behalf to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation here in Santa Rosa. Blessings, David

Dear Chris and Members of Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Santa Rosa,

It is with great sadness that we received the news of the tragedy in Knoxville which last Sunday took the lives of two members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. We, the members and friends of your sister congregation, the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Santa Rosa join you in your grief. On the day of the tragedy four of our youth were at our National Youth Event at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. They joined with 2100 of their fellow youth and youth leaders in solidarity and prayer for the Tennessee Valley Church. Too, we want you to know that First Congregational UCC is praying for the church in Knoxville, for you and for your denomination in this difficult time.

Since Sunday it has become known that this action by one person was a hate crime directed at the church for its support of progressive causes, causes that our church and denomination affirm and share with you. As John Donne said,
No man(person) is an island, entire of itself
every man (person) is a piece of the continent, a part of the main
if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less …
any man's (person’s)death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind (humankind)
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls
it tolls for thee.
Your grief is our grief. As the bells toll, may we human beings learn to live together with peace, understanding, tolerance and affirmation.
Blessings,


David Parks-Ramage
First Congregational UCC, Santa Rosa