Knoxville...2 dead, 7 wounded....dozens of children and their families traumatized.

The stated motive, released today, of the gunman....to attack the "liberal movement" in religion.

This sick and twisted man who is out of work and frustrated apparently blames the ills of the world on churches like Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, including mine, that speak out for women, gays, and oppressed minorities. TVUUC is a beacon for social justice and societal transformation that recently became more vocal in their welcome and support for LGBT youth and adults.

Two dear souls--one a church elder and foster parent of one of the performers who shielded others from the shotgun blasts, and one, a loving grandmother visiting to enjoy the performance of "Annie" that the kids were putting on--are now among the saints, martyrs to the gospel.


But in the midst of this tragedy, there are beacons of light....church members subdued the man after he had apparently only shot off three or four rounds of ammunition. He had brought 73 more shells into the church with him...no children were among the victims....he originally had tried to enter the church through the area where the children were gathered for the performance, posing as a musician...Things could have been so much worse.

Surely that is small consolation to the families mourning today and to those struggling to recover in hospitals.

I grieve for families, for children, for an entire community, and for the church of Jesus Christ. On the Sunday when the lectionary talks about all things working together for good for those who love and serve God, I am at a loss. Still, is there not a better time for us to have heard the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God?

For all who suffer...and for the expansive, loving, 'liberal' gospel....hear our prayer.